State of Iowa
v.
Jake Robert Skahill
Appellee
State of Iowa
Appellant
Jake Robert Skahill
Attorney for the Appellee
Sheryl Soich, Assistant Attorney General
Attorney for the Appellant
Ashley Stewart, Assistant Appellate Defender
Court of Appeals
Court of Appeals Opinion
Opinion Number:
Date Published:
Summary
Appeal from the Iowa District Court for Dubuque County, Monica Zrinyi Ackley, Judge. CONVICTIONS AFFIRMED; SENTENCE VACATED AND REMANDED WITH INSTRUCTIONS. Considered by Ahlers, P.J., Chicchelly, J., and Gamble, S.J. Opinion by Gamble, S.J. (12 pages)
Jake Skahill appeals his convictions for second-degree sexual abuse, in violation of Iowa Code section 709.3(1)(b) (2018); lascivious acts with a child, in violation of section 709.8(1)(a); and enticing a minor, in violation of section 710.10(1). Skahill asserts the court erred in denying his motion to disqualify the presiding judge and in imposing consecutive sentences without adequate reasons. OPINION HOLDS: Skahill has not shown that the district court abused its discretion by denying his recusal motion. However, we cannot say Skahill’s successful appeal played no part in the court’s imposition of a harsher sentence. We confirm the convictions, vacate the sentence, and remand for resentencing before a different judge.
