Michael Lynn Heard Sr. v. State of Iowa

TABOR, Judge.

Michael Heard Sr. appeals the dismissal of his postconviction relief (PCR) application. He raises several issues related to his sentencing. But because he has discharged his sentence, those issues are now moot. So Heard is left with a single viable claim-had trial counsel fully investigated Heard's mental health and better informed Heard about a diminished capacity defense, Heard would have insisted on going to trial. Deferring to the district court's credibility findings, we reject Heard's allegation of ineffective assistance of counsel.

In October 2010, Heard pleaded guilty to…