State v. Baldwin

HARRIS, Justice.

James Darrell Baldwin appeals, from his conviction of a lascivious act with a child, viz., soliciting a child to engage in a sex act in violation of section 709.8(3), The Code 1979. There was ample showing that Baldwin took outrageous liberties with a child at the time and place in question. But we are compelled to agree that the evidence was insufficient to support a conviction of the crime charged. We therefore reverse the trial court.

On a January Sunday afternoon Angela, a 12-year-old girl, was seated in the Fort Madison public library reading a book. Baldwin approached and…