Sallis v. Rhoads

HARRIS, Justice.

Petitioner’s counsel undertook a somewhat bold trial strategy in her trial for first-degree murder. The strategy, which might well have resulted in an acquittal, backfired; petitioner was convicted of first-degree murder. In this postconviction proceeding she asserts the strategy amounted to ineffective assistance of counsel. The postconviction court denied her petition. We affirm.

Petitioner was convicted for her part in the murder of her husband. It was a contract killing which involved others. See State v. Reese, 259 N.W.2d 771 (Iowa 1977) (reversing conviction of another…