Iowa Supreme Court to Hear Oral Arguments in Decorah

Des Moines, March 12, 2015–On Wednesday, April 8, the Iowa Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in Decorah, Iowa. The proceeding will take place in the Decorah High School Auditorium, 100 Claiborne Drive. The session is open to the public and will begin at 7 p.m.

The court will hear attorneys argue in two cases:

State of Iowa vs. Tyler James Webster, case no. 13-1095, from Jefferson County

Defendant Tyler Webster appealed his conviction of murder in the second degree on the grounds of juror misconduct, including that the juror did not disclose a familiarity with the victim's family. The Iowa Court of Appeals reversed Webster's conviction and granted a new trial. The Iowa Supreme Court granted the State's Application for Further Review. The State argues that Webster waived his claim of juror misconduct when he did not raise the issue during the trial.

State of Iowa vs. Patience Paye, case no. 14-0183, from Black Hawk County

Defendant Patience Paye appeals her conviction for second offense public intoxication, arguing that the front steps of her home do not constitute a "public place" for purposes of the public intoxication statute. Iowa Code section 123.46 (2013). The Iowa Supreme Court has previously held that the front steps and common hallway of an apartment house do constitute public places, but it has not extended that analysis to a single family home.

Attorneys' briefs for the cases and a guide to oral arguments are posted on the Iowa Judicial Branch website at:http://www.iowacourts.gov/About_the_Courts/Supreme_Court/Offsite_Oral_Arguments_Decorah/.

A public reception with the supreme court justices will follow the oral arguments in the Decorah High School commons.

Note to Editors: News media are invited to attend the oral arguments. Court rules apply regarding still camera, video camera, audio recording devices, and other electronic devices used during the oral arguments. Information on expanded media coverage is available on the Iowa Judicial Branch Website athttp://www.iowacourts.gov/For_the_Media/Expanded_News_Media_Coverage/

The Iowa Court Rules regarding cameras and other electronic devices in courtrooms are on the Iowa Legislature website athttps://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/ACO/CourtRulesChapter/01-30-2015.25.pdf

Internet Explorer 9 or higher is required to view this page of the Iowa Legislature website. Mozilla, Firefox, or Google Chrome will also work.

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Des Moines, March 4, 2015–On Monday, March 9 and Tuesday, March 10, members of the Iowa Supreme Court will visit seven high schools and Southwestern Community College to meet with students and discuss the role of the courts. The justices will visit East Union, Nodaway Valley, Carlisle, Creston, Interstate 35, Clarke Community, and Winterset high schools.

High school visit schedule for Monday, March 9, 2015

1:15 - 2:15 p.m. Justice David Wiggins at East Union High School, Afton

High school visit schedule for Tuesday, March 10, 2015

8:30 - 9:15 a.m. Justice Brent Appel at Nodaway Valley High School, Greenfield

9:00 - 10:00 a.m. Justice David Wiggins at Carlisle High School, Carlisle

9:00 - 10:00 a.m. Justice Bruce Zager at Southwestern Community College, Creston

9:00 - 10:00 a.m. Chief Justice Mark Cady at Creston High School, Creston

9:47 - 10:30 a.m. Justice Edward Mansfield at Interstate 35 High School, Truro

10:00 - 11:00 a.m. Justice Daryl Hecht at Winterset High School, Winterset

10:35 - 11:30 a.m. Justice Thomas Waterman at Clarke Community High School, Osceola

In addition to the school visits, the supreme court will hold a special session in Creston Monday evening, March 9, in the Creston High School auditorium, 601 West Townline Street, Creston. During the special session, the court will hear oral arguments in one case. The session begins at 7 p.m. and the oral arguments are open to the public. A public reception with the justices in the Creston High School commons will follow the oral arguments.

Special Session

Monday, March 9, 2015, at 7:00 p.m.

Creston High School auditorium

601 West Townline Street

Creston, Iowa

The Iowa Supreme Court will hear lawyers argue in one case:

Sanon, et al. v. City of Pella, et al.

This case involves the drowning of two teen age boys while on a youth camp outing to the Pella Aquatic Center operated by the City of Pella (City). The case rises on appeal from the Iowa district court following its ruling granting in part and denying in part the City's motion for summary judgment on immunity issues. The issues on appeal center on whether acts or omissions of city employees resulting in violation of pool safety regulations amount to a criminal offence under Iowa law such that the City does not have immunity from liability under Iowa Code section 670.4(12).

The March 9, 2015, oral arguments will not be live streamed.

Public reception

There will be a public reception sponsored by the Creston Chamber of Commerce immediately following the court proceeding in the Creston High School commons.

For more information about the oral arguments

Attorneys' briefs for the two cases and a guide to oral arguments are posted on the Iowa Judicial Branch website at:

http://www.iowacourts.gov/About_the_Courts/Supreme_Court/Offsite_Oral_Arguments_Creston/

Note to news media

News media are invited to attend the oral arguments. Court rules apply regarding still camera, video camera, and audio recording devices used during the oral arguments. Information on expanded media coverage is available on the Iowa Judicial Branch Website at: http://www.iowacourts.gov/For_the_Media/Expanded_News_Media_Coverage/ .

Chapter 25 of the Iowa Court Rules regarding cameras and other electronic devices in courtrooms is available on the Iowa Legislature website at https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/ACO/CR/LINC/04-30-2014.chapter.25.pdf . Internet Explorer 9 or higher is required to view this page of the Iowa Legislature website. Mozilla, Firefox, or Google Chrome will also work.

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GRANTED:

DENIED:

UNDER CONSIDERATION BY THE COURT: