State v. Morris

Defendant, Willis Elbert Morris, appeals from judgment and sentence convicting him of second-degree theft as a habitual offender in violation of Iowa Code sections 714.2(2), 902.8, and 902.9(3) (2001). The alleged theft involved a motor vehicle. He contends that the State failed to produce sufficient evidence that he intended to permanently deprive the owner of possession of the motor vehicle, an essential element of theft involving a motor vehicle. The court of appeals agreed with that contention and reversed defendant’s conviction for theft. After reviewing the record and considering the…