State v. Coker

■REYNOLDSON, Chief Justice.

Defendant Joseph Everett Coker appeals from a judgment entered upon jury verdicts finding him guilty of first-degree robbery and unauthorized possession of an offensive weapon. See Iowa Code §§ 711.-2, 724.3 (1985). The court of appeals, dividing equally, affirmed Coker’s convictions by operation of law. See Iowa Code § 602.5106(1) (1985). We vacate the court of appeals decision, reverse trial court’s judgment, and remand to the district court for new trial.

The underlying facts are undisputed. February 26, 1985, Coker, armed with a sawed-off shotgun, robbed a…