Pence v. Rawlings

HAYDEN, Judge.

At the time this case came to trial, Vivian Meissner was 93 years old. She is a widow without children or close relatives. She lived in her own home in Marshalltown. There is a small apartment on the second floor which she has occasionally rented.

In the fall of 1985, Brian Rawlings’ father, Dale, learned of the vacant apartment. Although Meissner was initially reluctant to rent again, she changed her mind and agreed. Rawlings and his two-year-old son moved in just before Thanksgiving. He had three felony convictions for breaking and entering. Rawlings was released after serving…