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

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