The life sentence for a convicted sex offender from Webster County was overturned Wednesday by the Iowa Court of Appeals. In its decision, the court ruled a Webster County court was wrong to reopen a hearing allowing new testimony after 39-year-old Peter Long of Duncombe had been convicted of third-degree sexual abuse.
Long who had two prior convictions for lascivious acts with a child, faced a 10-year sentence but because of the new testimony, was sentenced to life in prison. The court ordered the case back to district court without the new testimony.
Iowa attorney general spokesman Geoff Greenwood says prosecutors may ask the state Supreme Court to review the case.
By Pat Powers, KQWC, Webster City