Iowa Supreme Court Affirms Domestic Abuse Conviction and Firearm Prohibition

Iowa Supreme Court Affirms Domestic Abuse Conviction and Firearm Prohibition

Iowa Supreme Court Affirms Domestic Abuse Conviction and Firearm Prohibition

In State v. Kieffer, the Iowa Supreme Court upheld two domestic abuse assault convictions and a firearm prohibition order against Ezekiel Kieffer, rejecting several constitutional and evidentiary challenges raised on appeal.

Background
Kieffer was convicted after a jury found he assaulted and strangled his girlfriend during an argument at his residence. He was convicted of:

• Domestic abuse assault impeding airflow (aggravated misdemeanor)

• Domestic abuse assault causing bodily injury (serious misdemeanor)

Key Issues on Appeal

1. Cohabitation and Sufficiency of Evidence
   Kieffer argued that he and the complainant were not “cohabiting” under Iowa’s domestic abuse statute. The Court disagreed, finding there was substantial evidence they were living together at the time of the assault. This included testimony that she had just moved her belongings into his home, and both parties believed they were expecting a child.

2. Improper Hearsay and Order in Limine Violations
   Kieffer claimed a mistrial was warranted due to violations of a pretrial order excluding prior police interactions and labeling the complainant a “victim.” Although the Court agreed two comments by witnesses violated the order, it held that the trial court’s immediate corrective actions sufficiently cured any prejudice. The conviction stood.

3. Firearm Prohibition and Constitutional Challenge
   Kieffer challenged the constitutionality of a sentencing provision prohibiting him from possessing firearms under both the U.S. and Iowa Constitutions. The Court found that:

   • The prohibition was part of his sentence and reviewable on appeal.

   • The restriction, based on his conviction for a misdemeanor domestic violence offense, did not violate the Second Amendment under the U.S. Supreme Court’s Rahimi and Bruen decisions.

   • The Court declined to address the Iowa constitutional claim because federal law independently justified the firearm restriction, making the state issue non-dispositive.

This case highlights the importance of preserving objections during trial and understanding how federal firearms restrictions interplay with state sentencing orders.  That is why you need an experienced and skilled criminal defense lawyer like Lucas Taylor to represent you.