IN THE SUPREME COURT OF IOWA
No.15–0971
Filed May 25, 2017
Amended August 7, 2017
STATE OF IOWA,
Appellee,
vs.
EDDIE LAMONT VIRGIL,
Appellant.
On review from the Iowa Court of Appeals.
Appeal from the Iowa District Court for Black Hawk County,
George L. Stigler, Judge.
Defendant seeks further review of court of appeals decision
affirming his conviction for domestic abuse assault. DECISION OF
COURT OF APPEALS AFFIRMED IN PART AND VACATED IN PART;
DISTRICT COURT JUDGMENT REVERSED AND CASE REMANDED
FOR NEW TRIAL.
Mark C. Smith, State Appellate Defender, and Maria Ruhtenberg,
Assistant Appellate Defender, for appellant.
Thomas J. Miller, Attorney General, Richard J. Bennett, Special
Counsel (until withdrawal), Tyler J. Buller and Kyle P. Hanson, Assistant
Attorneys General, Lucas A. Sterbick, Law Student, Tom Ferguson,
County Attorney, and Michelle Wagner, Assistant County Attorney, for
appellee.
2
WATERMAN, Justice.
In this appeal, we must decide whether the defendant, convicted of
domestic abuse assault, third offense, under Iowa Code section 708.2A(4)
(2015), is entitled to a new trial because his trial counsel failed to request
a jury instruction defining “household member.” The defendant argues
the State failed to meet its burden to prove this “assault [was] between
persons who have been . . . household members residing together within
the past year” under sections 708.2A(4) and 236.2(2)(d). He spent
several nights a week at the victim’s home before their breakup without
sharing expenses. The first trial ended in a hung jury. During
deliberations in the second trial, the jury asked the court to “Define:
Reside + Domestic” and was referred to their “ordinary meaning.”
Defense counsel never requested a jury instruction defining “household
members,” but moved for a judgment of acquittal based on the
insufficiency of evidence on that issue, which the district court denied.
The jury found the defendant guilty, and the court sentenced him to an
indeterminate sentence of up to five years in prison. The defendant
appealed, seeking to “vacate the domestic portion of his conviction” 1 or a
new trial.
We transferred the defendant’s appeal to the court of appeals,
which affirmed his conviction over a dissent. The majority concluded
defense counsel had breached an essential duty by failing to request the
definitional instruction, but the defendant failed to show the prejudice
required for a new trial because the State had presented sufficient
evidence of cohabitation. The dissent concluded the evidence “was a
1Simple assault was submitted to the jury as a lesser included offense. The
nondomestic assault conviction would have been a simple misdemeanor with a
maximum jail sentence of thirty days. Iowa Code § 708.2(6); id. § 903.1.
3
toss-up” on that element and found the defendant established prejudice.
We granted the defendant’s application for further review.
On our review, we conclude the defendant met his burden to show
he received ineffective assistance of counsel in district court. The central
issue at trial was whether the defendant and victim had been cohabiting.
The jury should have been given the definitional instruction, which
accurately sets forth the factors bearing on that issue. Defense counsel’s
failure to request such an instruction was prejudicial, and defendant is
entitled to a new trial.
I. Background Facts and Proceedings.
The jury could find the following facts from the evidence at trial.
The defendant, Eddie Virgil, and the victim, N.J., age twenty-three, began
a romantic relationship in late 2013 that included sexual intimacy. N.J.
was an unemployed mother living in a house in Waterloo with her four
children, none fathered by Virgil. Virgil assaulted N.J. in May 2014.
N.J. broke off her relationship with Virgil shortly thereafter. In August,
Virgil again assaulted N.J. He was charged with a third assault in
October, and his conviction on that charge is the subject of this appeal. 2
During their eight-month relationship, Virgil spent three to four
nights every week at N.J.’s rented home. He was not named on her lease
or utilities and did not pay any rent or household expenses. When he
stayed over, they ate meals together. He kept a cell phone and a garbage
bag with some clothes at N.J.’s, but no other possessions. He kept the
rest of his belongings at his uncle or cousin’s home, where he stayed
2On September 12, Virgil pled guilty to assault causing bodily injury for the May
offense and plead guilty to domestic abuse assault for the August offense. He did not
testify at either jury trial for his October offense, and jurors were not informed about his
guilty pleas or convictions.
4
three or four nights a week. He did not have a key to N.J’s, but could
come and go as he pleased. He was not allowed to have guests. He did
not receive mail or phone calls at N.J.’s, but she believed he gave his
family her address as his own. He typically arrived in the evening for
supper and spent the night in her room. He would usually leave the next
morning about nine or ten, after she walked one of her children to
school. On most days, he provided child care. Although N.J. claimed
they were not living together, she acknowledged saying that to avoid
jeopardizing her section 8 housing subsidy, which prohibits nonfamily
cohabitants.
Virgil assaulted N.J. the first time on May 14. N.J. told him he
was no longer allowed to stay in her home, and their relationship ended
by June. Virgil did not take it well. He assaulted her a second time on
August 31. His third assault was on the morning of October 14. That
day, N.J. walked her son to preschool a few blocks away. On her way
home, Virgil confronted her, asking how she could do this to him and
telling her he had no place to go. N.J. was frightened and walked faster
to reach her doorway. He caught her and pushed inside, yelling at her.
He struck her in the face, which bloodied her nose and blackened her left
eye. He took her phone, threw it, and ran away. N.J. went to the
hospital, where the police were called. Waterloo police officer Randy
Hammitt took her statement and photographed her injuries.
The State charged Virgil with domestic abuse assault, third
offense, in violation of Iowa Code section 708.2A(4), a class “D” felony.
The case was tried to a jury on January 20–21, 2015. The marshaling
instruction required the State to prove the assault occurred “between
family or household members who resided together at the time of the
incident or persons who have been family or household members
5
residing together within the past year but not residing together at the
time of the incident.” 3 If that element was not proven, the instructions
permitted the jury to convict him of simple assault. Virgil did not
request an instruction defining “household member,” and the court did
not give such an instruction. The jury deadlocked with three voting to
convict and nine to acquit. The court declared a mistrial.
The case was tried to a second jury on March 31. The State was
unable to locate N.J. The district court found N.J. unavailable and
allowed her testimony from the first trial to be read into evidence.
N.J.’s testimony described the assault and her earlier living
arrangements with Virgil. The emergency room physician who examined
N.J. testified her injuries were consistent with assault. A friend testified
Virgil had lived with N.J. in 2014, and N.J. had called her crying after
Virgil assaulted her. Officer Hammitt testified about N.J.’s statement
given at the hospital, and the State admitted the photographs of N.J.’s
injuries. Virgil did not testify or call any witnesses. At the close of
3The marshaling instruction stated,
The State must prove all of the following elements of the crime of
Assault Domestic Abuse:
1. On or about the 14th day of October, 2014, the defendant did
an act which was intended to cause pain or injury or result in physical
contact which was insulting or offensive or place [N.J.] in fear of
immediate physical contact which would have been painful, injurious,
insulting or offensive to [N.J.]
2. The defendant had the apparent ability to do the act.
3. The act occurred between family or household members who
resided together at the time of the incident or person who have been
family or household members residing together within the past year but
not residing together at the time of the incident.
If the State has proved all of these numbered elements, the
defendant is guilty of Domestic Abuse Assault. If the State has proved
only elements 1 and 2, the defendant is guilty of Assault. If the State has
failed to prove either elements 1 or 2, the defendant is not guilty.
6
evidence, Virgil moved for a judgment of acquittal on grounds that the
State had failed to prove “there was a domestic relationship” or that
Virgil injured N.J. The district court denied the motion.
The marshaling instruction at the second trial was the same as the
first. Again, no instruction defining household member was requested or
given. During deliberation, the jury sent a note to the court, stating,
“Define: Reside + Domestic.” The court discussed the matter with
counsel outside the presence of the jury:
THE COURT: . . . There is no definition that I am
aware of as to what reside means other than its common
sense meaning. As far as domestic goes, I think the only
instruction that I probably can do is to refer them to the
marshaling instruction, numbered paragraph three, and
they will have to go from there. What are your thoughts?
Both counsel stated they “agree[d]” with the court. The court therefore
told the jury,
The only advice we can give you on that would be reside has
its common ordinary every day meaning, so you will have to
resolve that issue as to whether the state has established by
evidence beyond a reasonable doubt whether Mr. Virgil
resided [with N.J.] or not. As far as domestic goes, the best
definition we can give you is in the marshaling instruction, I
believe that’s [No.] 20, numbered paragraph 3[,] and you will
have to make your determination on the basis of the
evidence as to whether there has been a domestic
relationship proven here by evidence beyond a reasonable
doubt, domestic again being best defined by that numbered
paragraph three, has the state proven one or the other of
those matters.
The jury found Virgil guilty of domestic abuse assault. Virgil had two
prior domestic assault convictions. The court sentenced him to an
indeterminate term of up to five years in prison with a mandatory one-
year minimum and a $750 fine. If he had been convicted only of the
lesser included offense of simple assault, he would have faced only thirty
days in jail. Iowa Code § 708.2(6); id. § 903.1.
7
Virgil appealed. He raised several issues on direct appeal that had
been preserved by counsel, including whether the district court properly
ruled N.J. was unavailable, whether substantial evidence existed to
determine N.J. and Virgil resided together, and whether the court erred
by striking two prospective jurors for cause. Virgil’s appellate counsel
also raised an ineffective-assistance claim, arguing his trial counsel was
ineffective for failing to request a jury instruction on the definition of
“household member.” Neither the State nor Virgil argued the record was
inadequate to decide the ineffective-assistance claim such that it should
be reserved for postconviction proceedings. And neither the State nor
Virgil has argued that trial counsel could have made a strategic choice to
refrain from requesting an instruction defining household member.
We transferred the case to the court of appeals. A three-judge
panel affirmed Virgil’s conviction. The panel unanimously affirmed the
district court’s ruling allowing N.J.’s testimony from the first trial based
on her unavailability and the State’s reasonable efforts to locate her,
affirmed the ruling striking prospective jurors for cause, and rejected
Virgil’s claim the evidence was insufficient to support his conviction.4
The panel unanimously concluded that counsel for Virgil had breached
an essential duty by failing to request a jury instruction defining the
term “household member.” The majority, however, determined “Virgil is
unable to establish prejudice” because the State presented sufficient
4In his pro se brief, Virgil raised ten additional claims, including claims of
exculpatory evidence, his right of confrontation, improper introduction of evidence of
his criminal history, improper stipulation to prior abuse convictions, ineffective
assistance for failing to take depositions, improper jury instructions, prosecutorial
misconduct, witness competency, jurors not being allowed to review evidence, and the
denial of his motion for judgment of acquittal. Each of these claims was rejected by the
court of appeals.
8
evidence of the domestic relationship. The dissent opined that although
“[t]he evidence was strong on the issues of identity and the
assault[,] . . . it was a toss-up on the element of ‘household member.’ ”
The dissent found that prejudice resulted from counsel’s failure to
request an instruction defining the term. We granted Virgil’s application
for further review.
II. Standard of Review.
“On further review, we can review any or all of the issues raised on
appeal or limit our review to just those issues brought to our attention by
the application for further review.” Papillon v. Jones, 892 N.W.2d 763,
769 (Iowa 2017) (quoting Woods v. Young, 732 N.W.2d 39, 40 (Iowa
2007)). We elect to confine our review to Virgil’s ineffective-assistance
claim. The court of appeals decision shall stand as the final decision on
the other issues raised by Virgil.
“Generally, claims of ineffective assistance of counsel are preserved
for postconviction relief proceedings.” State v. Soboroff, 798 N.W.2d 1, 8
(Iowa 2011). But if “the record is adequate, we may resolve the claim on
direct appeal.” Id. We conclude the record here is adequate to address
Virgil’s ineffective-assistance claim. Because ineffective-assistance
claims are grounded in the Sixth Amendment and article I, section 9 of
the Iowa Constitution, our review is de novo. See id.
III. Analysis.
To establish ineffective assistance of counsel, Virgil must prove “by
a preponderance of the evidence: (1) his counsel failed to perform an
essential duty, and (2) prejudice resulted.” Id. Virgil argues, and the
court of appeals agreed, that counsel failed to perform an essential duty
when he neglected to request a jury instruction defining “household
member.” But the court of appeals majority determined Virgil had not
9
been prejudiced by counsel’s error. Upon our de novo review, we
disagree and conclude the resulting prejudice requires a new trial.
A. Did Trial Counsel Fail to Perform an Essential Duty? “An
attorney fails to perform an essential duty when the attorney ‘perform[s]
below the standard demanded of a reasonably competent attorney.’ ”
Millam v. State, 745 N.W.2d 719, 721 (Iowa 2008) (alteration in original)
(quoting Ledezma v. State, 626 N.W.2d 134, 142 (Iowa 2001)). We begin
with the presumption the attorney performed competently, measuring
performance against “prevailing professional norms” based on the totality
of the circumstances. Ledezma, 626 N.W.2d at 142 (quoting Strickland v.
Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 688, 104 S. Ct. 2052, 2065 (1984)).
“[I]neffective assistance is more likely to be established when the alleged
actions or inactions of counsel are attributed to a lack of diligence as
opposed to the exercise of judgment.” Id. While miscalculated trial
strategies or mistakes in judgment “normally do not rise to the level of
ineffective assistance of counsel,” “strategic decisions made after a ‘less
than complete investigation’ must be based on reasonable professional
judgments which support the particular level of investigation conducted.”
Id. at 143 (quoting Strickland, 466 U.S. at 690–91, 104 S. Ct. at 2066).
In considering the breach-of-essential-duty element
with respect to jury instructions, we have said that “not
every right to insist that a particular instruction be given
need be availed of by counsel in order to satisfy the standard
of normal competency.”
State v. Broughton, 450 N.W.2d 874, 876 (Iowa 1990) (quoting State v.
Blackford, 335 N.W.2d 173, 178 (Iowa 1983)). Whether counsel breaches
an essential duty by failing to offer or object to a particular instruction
“must be determined with regard to the theory of defense which is being
employed in the case.” Id. “If the defense strategy is to deny that any
10
assaultive contact occurred, the individual elements of assault become
unimportant.” State v. Fountain, 786 N.W.2d 260, 267 (Iowa 2010). In
other words, if the missing instruction would not have aided the
defendant, counsel may not be ineffective for failing to correct or offer the
instruction. See id. (declaring counsel not ineffective if defense was
“simply that [the assault] did not occur” because “the distinction between
a general intent instruction and a specific intent instruction may not
have aided [defendant]”).
Virgil’s attorney failed to request a jury instruction defining
“household member.” Neither “household members” nor “residing” was
defined for this jury. We have said that “[i]n criminal cases, the court is
required to instruct the jury on the definition of the crime. Generally
understood words of ordinary usage need not be defined; however,
technical terms or legal terms of art must be explained.” State v. Kellogg,
542 N.W.2d 514, 516 (Iowa 1996) (citation omitted); see also Iowa R. Civ.
P. 1.924 (requiring the district court to “instruct the jury as to the law
applicable to all material issues in the case”); Iowa R. Crim. P. 2.19(5)(f)
(“The rules relating to the instruction of juries in civil cases shall apply to
the trial of criminal cases.”). “[T]he court is not required to give any
particular form of an instruction; rather, the court must merely give
instructions that fairly state the law as applied to the facts of the case.”
State v. Marin, 788 N.W.2d 833, 837 (Iowa 2010), overruled on other
grounds by Alcala v. Marriott Int’l, Inc., 880 N.W.2d 699, 708 n.3 (Iowa
2016).
Iowa Code section 708.2A defines a “domestic abuse assault” as an
assault “which is domestic abuse as defined in section 236.2.” Iowa
Code § 708.2A(1). Chapter 236, known as the Domestic Abuse Act, in
turn defines domestic abuse as an assault “between family or household
11
members who resided together at the time of the assault” or “family or
household members residing together within the past year and are not
residing together at the time of the assault.” Iowa Code § 236.2(2)(a), (d)
(emphasis added). The Act defines “[f]amily or household members” as
“spouses, persons cohabiting, parents, or other persons related by
consanguinity or affinity.” Id. § 236.2(4)(a) (second emphasis added).
The State had to prove Virgil and N.J. cohabited within a year preceding
the alleged assault of October 14, 2014.
In Kellogg, we defined “cohabiting” under sections 236.2 and
708.2A. 542 N.W.2d at 517–18. The central issue in that case was
whether the defendant and victim were cohabiting. See id. at 516.
Johanna Bunting and Francis Kellogg had lived together for about eight
years. Id. at 515. They initially were lovers but “the physical or romantic
component of their relationship ended.” Id. They continued to live
together in separate bedrooms under the same roof, sharing “financial
responsibilities, appliances, and household duties.” Id. Kellogg called
police after a drunken altercation left Bunting injured. Id. He was
charged with domestic abuse assault. Id. The court gave a jury
instruction defining “household members” as “persons living together or
cohabiting with each other under the same roof.” Id. The defendant
objected to the term “living together” as insufficient and requested an
instruction that stated “living together as ‘man and wife.’ ” Id. The court
overruled his objection and declined his requested instruction. Id.
During deliberations, the jury requested a “complete definition of
cohabitation,” and the court, over defendant’s renewed objection, told the
jury “cohabiting means dwelling or living together in the same place.” Id.
at 515–16. Kellogg was convicted and appealed. Id. at 516.
12
We rejected Kellogg’s argument that domestic abuse was limited to
couples living together as husband and wife. Id. at 517 (noting that the
legislature had broadened chapter 236 to protect against abuse “in a
variety of significant relationships”). However, we concluded the district
court’s jury instruction, which encompassed mere roommates, was too
broad. Id. at 518. We adopted the following nonexclusive factors to
determine whether parties were cohabiting within the meaning of the
Domestic Abuse Act:
1. Sexual relations between the parties while sharing the
same living quarters.
2. Sharing of income or expenses.
3. Joint use or ownership of property.
4. Whether the parties hold themselves out as husband and
wife.
5. The continuity of the relationship.
6. The length of the relationship.
Id. (quoting People v. Holifield, 252 Cal. Rptr. 729, 734 (Ct. App. 1988)).
We made clear that whether two people were cohabiting is a question of
fact for the jury. Id. We concluded the erroneous instruction prejudiced
Kellogg and reversed and remanded the case for a new trial. Id.
The Kellogg factors can be outcome determinative. In Kellogg, we
contrasted two cases addressing whether ex-wives cohabited with new
boyfriends to trigger conditional relief for the ex-husband in the decree of
dissolution. Id. at 517. Compare In re Marriage of Gibson, 320 N.W.2d
822, 822–23 (Iowa 1982) (finding no cohabitation when boyfriend stayed
over four nights a week with a change of clothes, but had no key and
maintained separate residence where he paid rent, kept his possessions,
and received mail), with In re Marriage of Harvey, 466 N.W.2d 916, 917–
18 (Iowa 1991) (finding cohabitation when boyfriend sublet his
13
apartment, stayed over three to four nights at the ex-wife’s home,
enjoyed free access, kept most possessions there, performed repairs,
provided child care, and used her home as his address).
We reaffirmed the Kellogg factors in Livingood v. Negrete, when we
rejected a claim that prison cell mates were “cohabiting” under the
Domestic Abuse Act. 547 N.W.2d 196, 197 (Iowa 1996) (per curiam). We
noted that cohabitation “cannot be legally established solely by proving
that the defendant and victim were living together.” Id. We concluded
the Act did not apply to “nonvoluntary living arrangements such as
prison cell mates,” noting the latitude afforded prison administrators. Id.
“From Kellogg we can . . . discern that cohabiting is more than simply
living together, even though it is not tantamount to marriage.” State v.
Mitchell, 757 N.W.2d 431, 438 (Iowa 2008) (applying Kellogg factors
under child endangerment statute when mother accused of cohabiting
with sex offender).
The Domestic Abuse Act does not define “resides.” Root v. Toney,
841 N.W.2d 83, 91 (Iowa 2013). “[R]esident . . . is an elastic word with
varied statutory meanings, dependent upon the context of the statute in
which it is used and the purpose and object to be attained.” Id. at 90
(alteration in original) (quoting Kroblin Refrigerated Xpress, Inc. v. Iowa
Ins. Guar. Ass’n, 461 N.W.2d 175, 177 (Iowa 1990)). The Act is intended
to “protect Iowa residents from abuse.” Id. at 91. To that end, we give
the statute “a reasonable or liberal construction which will best effect its
purpose rather than one which will defeat it.” Id. (quoting Christenson v.
Christenson, 472 N.W.2d 279, 280 (Iowa 1991) (per curiam)).
The jury in Kellogg asked for help defining “cohabitation,” just as
Virgil’s jury asked for help defining “reside.” 542 N.W.2d at 515. Those
terms have specialized meanings under the Domestic Abuse Act that
14
warrant definitional instructions to guide the jury. See id. at 516 (stating
“technical terms or legal terms of art must be explained” to jury but
ordinary words need not be defined). The dictionary defines “reside” as
“to dwell permanently or continuously : have a settled abode for a time.”
Reside, Webster’s Third New International Dictionary (unabr. ed. 2002).
But we have clarified that under the Domestic Abuse Act, merely
remaining in the same household is not sufficient; more is required to
show a “significant relationship[].” Kellogg, 542 N.W.2d at 517. Simply
referring the jury to the ordinary meaning of those terms was not
enough. See id.; State v. Hoffer, 383 N.W.2d 543, 548 (Iowa 1986)
(noting “[t]echnical terms or words of art that have a technical legal
meaning, as distinguished from their ordinary meaning, should be
defined” in the jury instructions).
The district court gave a marshaling instruction to set forth the
elements of domestic abuse assault based on the Iowa State Bar
Association Uniform Criminal Jury Instruction 830.4 (2015). But
defense counsel failed to request, and the district court did not give,
Uniform Instruction No. 830.5, which defines “household members” and
“cohabiting,” using the Kellogg factors.” 5 Virgil argues his trial counsel
5The instruction states,
830.5 Definition – Family Or Household Members. The law defines
“family or household members” as persons cohabiting with each other.
“Cohabiting” does not require a sexual relationship, but does require
more than dwelling or living together in the same place. To determine if
the defendant and (victim) were cohabiting at the time of the alleged
offense, you may consider whether they had sexual relations while
sharing the same living quarters; they shared income or expenses; they
jointly used or owned property together; they held themselves out as
husband and wife; the continuity and length of their relationship, and
any other facts shown by the evidence bearing on their relationship with
each other.
15
seemed to be unaware of Kellogg and Instruction No. 830.5. A lawyer
defending domestic abuse charges should be aware of Kellogg and the
readily available definitional instruction. See State v. Vance, 790 N.W.2d
775, 785–86 (Iowa 2010) (citing 16 Gregory C. Sisk & Mark S. Cady,
Iowa Practice Series™: Lawyer and Judicial Ethics § 5:1(b), at 140 (2007)
(discussing standards for a lawyer’s preparation and analysis of
precedent)).
We conclude that Virgil’s trial counsel breached an essential duty
by initially failing to request a jury instruction outlining the Kellogg
factors and then again by failing to request such an instruction after the
jury asked the court to define “Reside + Domestic.” Importantly, no
claim is made that Virgil’s defense counsel had a strategic reason to
refrain from requesting the definitional instruction. The key disputed
factual issue was whether Virgil and N.J. cohabited within a year of the
assault. An instruction defining “household member” under Kellogg
should have been requested and given to the jury.
B. Was Virgil Prejudiced by Counsel’s Error? The defendant is
prejudiced when “there is a reasonable probability that, but for counsel’s
unprofessional errors, the result of the proceeding would have been
different.” Ledezma, 626 N.W.2d at 143 (quoting Strickland, 466 U.S. at
694, 104 S. Ct. at 2068). “A reasonable probability is a probability
sufficient to undermine confidence in the outcome.” Id. (quoting
Strickland, 466 U.S. at 694, 104 S. Ct. at 2068). Specifically, the
applicant must demonstrate that “absent the errors, the fact finder
would have had a reasonable doubt respecting guilt” such that our
________________________
Iowa State Bar Ass’n, Iowa Criminal Jury Instruction 830.5 (2015).
16
confidence in the outcome of the trial is undermined. Id. (quoting
Strickland, 466 U.S. at 695, 104 S. Ct. at 2068). “Unlike the situation in
which error has been preserved and the court presumes prejudice,” in
ineffective-assistance claims, “it is the defendant’s burden to
demonstrate a reasonable probability of a different result.” Everett v.
State, 789 N.W.2d 151, 158 (Iowa 2010) (quoting State v. Reynolds, 746
N.W.2d 837, 845 (Iowa 2008)).
Defense counsel’s failure to request a definitional instruction may
be prejudicial even if the evidence is sufficient to support the conviction.
See Soboroff, 798 N.W.2d at 8–9. Jeffrey Alan Soboroff was charged and
convicted of making threats to contaminate a city’s water supply with a
psychotropic drug. Id. at 4–5. We rejected a claim that trial counsel had
breached an essential duty by failing to move for a judgment of acquittal
because we concluded there was “sufficient evidence for a reasonable
jury to find” that the defendant had made a true threat. Id. at 9 (quoting
State v. Lane, 743 N.W.2d 178, 183 (Iowa 2007)). Nonetheless, we
determined counsel was ineffective for failing to request an instruction
that defined “threat.” Id. at 10. “While there was substantial evidence of
a real threat, there was also evidence from which a jury could have
concluded that Soboroff’s statements were ‘idle talk.’ ” Id. at 9 (quoting
State v. Milner, 571 N.W.2d 7, 10 (Iowa 1997)). Had the jury been
instructed on the standard for threats, “there [was] a reasonable
probability the outcome of Soboroff’s trial would have been different.” Id.
We reach the same conclusion here. While there was sufficient
evidence to find Virgil and N.J. cohabited, there was also evidence from
which a jury could have concluded otherwise. The jury’s question
indicated that it was confused about the meaning of the terms “reside”
and “domestic.” See Everett, 789 N.W.2d at 159 (noting question from
17
jury can show confusion). Several of the Kellogg factors helped Virgil,
and a jury instruction on those factors could have led the jury to acquit
him. His relationship with N.J. lasted less than nine months, and they
did not hold themselves out as husband and wife. Virgil never shared
income or expenses with N.J., nor was he named on her lease or utilities.
He was not allowed to have guests at her house. He only kept some
clothes there in a garbage bag and spent several nights a week at his
uncle or cousin’s place, where he kept the rest of his possessions. A
reasonable juror could find the State failed to prove cohabitation. See
Kellogg, 542 N.W.2d at 518 (listing factors); In re Marriage of Gibson, 320
N.W.2d at 822–24 (finding lack of cohabitation under similar facts).
Virgil’s first trial ended in a hung jury, with nine jurors voting to
acquit. The evidence of cohabitation was not overwhelming. See
Ledezma, 626 N.W.2d at 148–49 (“It becomes easier to doubt the
fundamental fairness of a trial, and to question the reliability of the
verdict, when the evidence by the State is not overwhelming . . . .”). We
conclude there is a reasonable probability the outcome of the trial would
have been different if the jury had been given a Kellogg instruction.
Virgil has established Strickland prejudice requiring a new trial.
IV. Disposition.
For these reasons, we vacate the court of appeals decision as to the
ineffective-assistance-of-counsel claim and affirm its decision on the
other issues. We reverse Virgil’s judgment and conviction and remand
this case for a new trial consistent with this opinion.
DECISION OF COURT OF APPEALS AFFIRMED IN PART AND
VACATED IN PART; DISTRICT COURT JUDGMENT REVERSED AND
CASE REMANDED FOR NEW TRIAL.