State of Iowa v. Darion Aubrea Love

APPEL, Justice.

In this case, we are called upon to consider whether the offense of assault with intent to inflict serious injury merges with the offense of willful injury causing bodily injury based upon the instructions given in a case involving a violent domestic altercation. After considering the specific instructions given to the jury at this trial, which established the legal framework for the jury’s factual deliberations, we conclude the offenses must merge.

I. Factual and Procedural Background.

The State charged Darion Love in a three-count trial information. Count I alleged kidnapping…