The Iowa Court of Appeals has upheld multiple convictions against a Lee County man in connection with a shooting in Aug. 2013.
Andrew Yerhart was found guilty in Oct. 2013 of attempted murder, going armed with intent and 1st degree harassment.
Court records show that Yerhart shot the back window of a truck being driven by Michael Rupp.
The shooting occurred after a confrontation between the two at a boat access ramp along the Des Moines River.
According to court documents, "Yerhart challenged Rupp to come in off the water and finish it. Witnesses at the ramp also heard Yerhart threaten Rupp and say Rupp was a 'dead man' and that 'he'd get a chance one of these days.'"
Authorities say Yerhart was driving a 4-wheeler when he eventually tracked down Rupp, who was driving home in a truck.
"Rupp continued toward his home, but in his rearview mirror, he saw the four-wheeler stop," according to court documents. "He heard Yerhart curse him, saw a flash, and heard a bang. The back window of Rupp's truck was shattered."
Rupp was hospitalized for three days after surgery to remove a bullet fragment from the shot.
Yerhart was sentenced to 25 years in prison in Dec. 2013. He challenged the convictions, claiming ineffective assistance from counsel.
The judges disagreed, saying they found nothing to support such a claim, adding that the evidence of Yerhart's guilt was "substantial, if not overwhelming."
"Counsel's efforts to convince the jury of a lessor charge were not effective, but a failed strategy or tactic does not constitute ineffective assistance of counsel," according to court documents.
