State of Iowa
v.
Lawrence George Canady, III
Defendant appealed his convictions for voluntary manslaughter, willful injury causing bodily injury, and assault causing bodily injury. He contended the district court erred in admitting certain evidence at trial. He also argued the evidence was insufficient to support his voluntary manslaughter conviction. He additionally alleged the court erred by failing to merge the willful injury conviction with the voluntary manslaughter conviction, by considering the minutes of testimony in imposing sentence, and by not providing adequate reasons for consecutive sentences. The court of appeals reversed and remanded for a new trial. The State seeks further review.
Applicant
State of Iowa
Resister
Lawrence George Canady, III
Attorney for the Applicant
Louis S. Sloven
Attorney for the Resister
Bradley M. Bender
Supreme Court
Oral Argument Schedule
15-15-5
Feb 20, 2024 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 Woodbury County, Patrick H. Tott, Judge. REVERSED AND REMANDED FOR NEW TRIAL. Heard by Bower, C.J., and Tabor and Greer, JJ. Opinion by Greer, J. (17 pages)
A jury convicted Lawrence Canady III of voluntary manslaughter, willful injury causing bodily injury, and assault causing bodily injury. Canady challenges some of the district court’s evidentiary ruling and argues there is insufficient evidence to support his conviction for voluntary manslaughter. Canady also challenges his sentences. OPINION HOLDS: Because the district court abused its discretion in admitting the rap video and the Snapchat picture, we reverse Canady’s convictions. As substantial evidence supports Canady’s conviction for voluntary manslaughter, he can be retried on that, as well as willful injury causing bodily injury and assault causing bodily injury. Because we reverse Canady’s convictions, we do not reach his sentencing challenge.