Cathryn Ann Linn, who was convicted of first-degree murder, is seeking further review of the court of appeals decision that affirmed the dismissal of her postconviction relief application. She argues she should be allowed a postconviction trial on the merits because her due process rights were violated by the trial court’s denial of her request for an expert on Battered Woman Syndrome and her postconviction counsel was ineffective for failing to secure such an expert. She further contends the jury may have reached a different verdict if trial counsel would have advanced a battered woman’s syndrome defense via an expert witness by finding her actions were reasonable on the night in question.

County:

Muscatine

Trial Court Case No.:

PCCV019353