State of Iowa v. Denem Anthony Null

I join in the court’s opinion to the extent it affirms the defendant’s convictions. I respectfully dissent as to the reversal of the defendant’s sentence.

To begin with, I believe the sentencing proceeding in this case complied with Miller v. Alabama, 567 U.S. -, 132 S.Ct. 2455, 183 L.Ed.2d 407 (2012). The relevant factors relating to Null’s youth were brought to light and considered. Yet even if one were to conclude the sentencing didn’t comply with Miller, the remedy would be straightforward: a remand for the district court to apply Miller.

Unfortunately, the majority opinion goes well beyond…