Dunbar v. State

TERNUS, Justice.

In June 1990, Robert Dunbar was sentenced to a prison term not to exceed ten years after pleading guilty to a charge of third-degree sexual abuse. See Iowa Code § 709.4 (1989). Dunbar did not file a direct appeal from his conviction.

Later, in January 1992, he filed a pro se application for postconvietion relief pursuant to Iowa Code chapter 663A (1991). In his application Dunbar complained that his trial counsel was ineffective, Dunbar did not understand his rights, counsel pressured Dunbar to plead guilty, and counsel would not allow Dunbar to fire him. Dunbar’s…