• Home
  • News
    • Politics & Government
    • Business & Economy
    • Crime / Courts
    • Health / Medicine
  • Sports
    • High School Sports
    • Radio Iowa Poll
  • Affiliates
    • Affiliate Support Page
  • Contact Us
    • Reporters

Radio Iowa

Iowa's Radio News Network

You are here: Home / Crime / Courts / Supreme Court orders new trial in death of baby in Fort Dodge hotel

Supreme Court orders new trial in death of baby in Fort Dodge hotel

June 30, 2015 By Dar Danielson

gavel-thumbnailThe Iowa Supreme Court has ordered a new trial for a woman convicted of second-degree murder in the death of her newborn baby in a Fort Dodge hotel room in September of 2011.

The Supreme Court ruled the expert testimony from the medical examiner in Hillary Tyler’s case should not have been allowed. The medical examiner could not find the cause of death of the baby, but ruled it a homicide based on a police interview where Tyler said she ran water in the bathtub with the intention of drowning the child.

The Supreme Court says the testimony of a medical examiner can sometimes rely on witness statements, but whether a medical examiner’s opinion on cause or manner of death is admissible depends on the particular circumstances of each case.

The court also reversed the district court ruling to suppress evidence seized in a search of the hotel room by police, and sent the issue back for more review. And the high court ruled a statement Tyler gave confessing to police she drowned the child was legally obtained, and can be used in a new trial.

Here’s the complete ruling: Tyler ruling PDF

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Filed Under: Crime / Courts, News, Top Story

Featured Stories

Speakers at trooper’s funeral describe Sgt. Smith as selfless, man of faith

Iowa unlikely to join 26 states with hands-free driving laws

Reynolds says Johnson & Johnson vaccine pause manageable

Iowa State Patrol tactical team leader killed in Grundy Center stand-off

Finalists chosen for the state’s top burger

TwitterFacebook
Tweets by RadioIowa

High school sports and activities to pause for one week in July

Hawkeyes add post player

UNI’s Warren agrees to contract extension

Iowa State signs Kansas transfer

Drake elevates Pohlman to head women’s basketball coach

More Sports

eNews and Updates

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

Archives

Copyright © 2021 · Learfield News & Ag, LLC