NEW TRIAL: Sexual Abuse Conviction Overturned

The Iowa Court of Appeals has overturned the sexual abuse conviction of an imprisoned Iowa man and called for a new trial in the case.

Gerry Jacobsen was convicted in Black Hawk County in 2005 of sexually abusing his adopted daughter. He was sentenced to 25 years in prison and has currently served seven years of the term.

Jacobsen argued his lawyer was ineffective for not objecting to photographs introduced as evidence that were irrelevant and portrayed his as a creep. The court agreed that the photos, which were taken years after the alleged abuse and in different home than where the abuse was alleged to take place, shouldn’t have been shown to a jury.

The court says evidence that the alleged victim changed her story several times also led to the decision to order a new trial for Jacobsen.