State v. Zeien

LARSON, Justice.

Tommy Lee Zeien was convicted of criminal mischief, Iowa Code § 716.1 (1991), for damaging contents in the home of his estranged wife, Judy. He appealed, claiming that as a matter of law section 716.1 does not cover damage to marital property. The district court rejected this argument, and so do we.

The facts are largely undisputed. On July 13,1991, shortly after Judy filed a dissolution petition, Zeien entered her home and damaged or destroyed a water bed, two television sets, video recorder, refrigerator, clock, and microwave. He punched holes in the walls and stained the…