State v. Heemstra

LARSON, Justice.

Rodney Heemstra was convicted by a jury of first-degree murder under Iowa Code sections 707.1 and 707.2 (2001). He appealed, challenging the district court’s instructions to the jury, its refusal to order production of medical records, and its denial of his motion for new trial. We reverse and remand.

I. Facts and Prior Proceedings.

Rodney Heemstra and Tom Lyon were farmers in Warren County, Iowa. Since 1998 Lyon had rented a portion of land belonging to a Rodgers family. In July 2002 Heemstra purchased the land with a closing date set for March 10, 2003. As the renter in…