(Des Moines, Iowa) – The Iowa Supreme Court, Friday, issued a ruling in the appeal of a Pottawattamie man, who was convicted on two counts of sexual abuse in the second degree. 61-year-old Allan Robert Sievers had argued the district court erred: 1) In admitting evidence of the victim’s initial disclosures under a section of the Iowa Code; 2) in admitting explicit photographs located on his computer; 3) in ordering a witness to testify while shackled and in jail attire when the State elicited testimony from the witness that he was Sievers’ best friend; 4) in permitting the State to cross-examine Sievers beyond the scope of his testimony on direct examination; and, 5) in denying his motion for judgment of acquittal.

The High Court ruled the District Court erred in allowing hearsay evidence, because the testimony was prejudicial. The Court’s opinion was delivered by Justice Matthew McDermott. It reverses the District Court’s action and overturns Sievers’ conviction. The court ordered a new trial, the date for which has not yet been set.

Read the full-opinion, here: 230413_FD12B0B199B7C