State of Iowa
v.
Sydney Leiann Slaughter
Sydney Slaughter appealed from her conviction for gambling (false claim of winnings), in violation of Iowa Code section 99F.15(4)(h), a class “D” felony. The court of appeals reversed the conviction, finding the state failed to offer substantial evidence of Ms. Slaughter’s specific intent to defraud, and that Slaughter made a wager. The court granted the State’s application for further review.
Applicant
State of Iowa
Resister
Sydney Leiann Slaughter
Attorney for the Applicant
Martha E. Trout
Attorney for the Resister
Vidhya K. Reddy
Supreme Court
Oral Argument Schedule
15-15-5
Dec 14, 2023 1:30 PM
Briefs
Supreme Court Opinion
Opinion Number:
Date Published:
Date Amended:
Court of Appeals
Court of Appeals Opinion
Opinion Number:
Date Published:
Summary
Appeal from the Iowa District Court for Black Hawk County, Kellyann M. Lekar, Judge. REVERSED AND REMANDED. Considered by Bower, C.J., and Tabor and Greer, JJ. Opinion by Tabor, J. Dissent by Greer, J. (23 pages)
A defendant appeals her conviction for a making a false claim for a slot machine jackpot. She argues the statute she was convicted under did not encompass her conduct. She also contends her conviction is not supported by sufficient evidence as to two elements. And she asserts the district court erred in allowing an expert witness to testify to the meaning of wager. OPINION HOLDS: Because the State failed to provide substantial evidence of her guilt, we reverse and remand for the district court to enter a judgment of acquittal. DISSENT ASSERTS: I must dissent from the majority opinion because I view the circumstantial evidence in this case as sufficient support for the conviction.