GUILTY IA - Amy Mullis , 39, Earlville, killed with corn rake, 10 Nov 2018 *Arrest*

[Joe Friday]

So; why wouldn't they?

ETA: I think, if I remember rightly, that they weren't put into evidence? Maybe someone knows more.

Wasn't one of Mullis's points on appeal, ineffective council?

 

[ex-stat]

I think so. I tried to watch it back but don't really want to watch the entire thing again. I wonder if they will be able to locate and test further evidence?

 

[Joe Friday]

I did a little refresher reading. The issue Todd Mullis had with his council was they wanted to claim Amy was murdered, just not by Todd. Which when I heard that in opening statements I thought was the craziest thing any defense attorney could say. Apparently Todd wanted to claim Amy's death was an accident.

The appeal on this was denied since Todd apparently testified Amy was murdered.

Click link at bottom to open PDF of full appeal decision: Case No. 20-1173 | Most Recent Court of Appeals Summaries | Iowa Judicial Branch

 

[MyBelle]

The defense could still have the nail clippings tested. All the evidence that was collected should still be preserved.

Steven Avery had his rape conviction overturned by DNA found on a pubic hair collected from the victim that showed someone else commited that crime. That person was later convicted IIRC.

Good point! I remember following this trial and thinking that a wife of one of her lovers killed her. The nail clippings definitely should be tested!

 

[Joe Friday]

Some interesting points made by Todd's new attorneys in this latest article about his post conviction relief. His new attorney says the prosecutor was good friends with Amy and should have recused himself from the case. She says the Sheriff dept should have done the same. Not sure why she thinks the Sheriff dept should have recused themselves, since the article does not say,

I heard talk that Amy had or was having several affairs that were not mentioned during the trial, one being with a Delaware County Sheriff deputy. If the affair with a deputy was true, that was kept quiet by the Sheriff dept and prosecutor for obvious reasons. No sense ruining one of their owns life by exposing such a thing. Maybe this is why the attorney say's the Sheriff dept should have recused themselves. Amy did work at the local hospital in the ER if IIRC and would have been in contact with Sheriff personal on a regular basis. JMO

The attorney blames the medical examiner for classifying the manner of death incorrectly when it was said Amy death was a homicide.

Two medical examiners looked at her body. The state forensic pathologist was called when it was noticed the different wounds from the corn rake took different paths in her body and there were more wounds than the four tines on the corn rake.

My assumption has been that Amy fell against the rake that was leaning against the wall, then fell onto the rake after it fell on the floor. Bizarre but probable. She died while trying to crawl out of the barn and was found on her hands and knees with the rake stuck in her back. The blunt force trauma injuries she received could have been from her fall. I don't think the Sheriff dept did any investigation in the barn since they originally may have thought this was an accident. And after her death was classified as a homicide no one bothered to look for evidence in the barn that would have disproved that this was a homicide. JMO

Todd Mullis' attorney reveals new details around alleged mistakes in original murder trial

DELAWARE COUNTY, Iowa (KWWL) -- Todd Mullis was convicted in 2019 for the murder of his wife, Amy, but his attorneys now say that investigators made some serious mistakes.

www.kwwl.com

 

[SeesSeas]

LIVE: Corn Rake Murder Trial — IA v. Todd Mullis — Day One​

Iowa man Todd Mullis was found guilty of killing his wife, Amy Mullis, with a corn rake in September 2018. Now, he is asking for a new trial and for his conviction to be thrown out altogether. In a civil bench trial, Mullis plans to argue that there is new evidence and facts that proves his innocence and would require a vacated conviction. Forty witnesses are listed to testify in the civil trial. Mullis is serving a life sentence.

 

[arielilane]

@CStewartNews


As we wait on Todd Mullis' civil bench trial to start in Iowa. Here is a recap of his case going back to his wife's death in 2018.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1894047317650465174

 

[geevee]

I didn't know this was happening, watching now.

 

[Wishbone]

I can't attest to TM's guilt or innocence but when I watched the original trial I believed it to be one of the most biased and poorly investigated and prejudicial trials I have ever suffered through. Also his attorney did not represent him in the very least. He needs a new fair trial for a just verdict. A change of venue would be helpful as well. JMOO

 

[MTW2011]

I remember (and now want to go back and rewatch it) the prosecution introducing that 911 call and, IMO, essentially putting words in front of the jury of what he supposedly said. I recall they asked him if he said “go to hell, cheating wh*re”….it was wild. And I vaguely remember the reaction of his attorneys being pretty subdued for such a wild moment. Not sure you could unring that bell for the jury. It will be interesting to see where this civil trial goes. JMOO

 

[Joe Friday]

I remember (and now want to go back and rewatch it) the prosecution introducing that 911 call and, IMO, essentially putting words in front of the jury of what he supposedly said. I recall they asked him if he said “go to hell, cheating wh*re”….it was wild. And I vaguely remember the reaction of his attorneys being pretty subdued for such a wild moment. Not sure you could unring that bell for the jury. It will be interesting to see where this civil trial goes. JMOO

If I remember correctly the notion of what TM said during the 911 call was introduced or suggested by the prosecutor during closing arguments. Not sure what the defense could have done at that point of time. It was a sleazy move by the state.

JMO

 

[Wishbone]

I remember (and now want to go back and rewatch it) the prosecution introducing that 911 call and, IMO, essentially putting words in front of the jury of what he supposedly said. I recall they asked him if he said “go to hell, cheating wh*re”….it was wild. And I vaguely remember the reaction of his attorneys being pretty subdued for such a wild moment. Not sure you could unring that bell for the jury. It will be interesting to see where this civil trial goes. JMOO

All the hearsay evidence by biased folk that live in that little prejudiced town that was allowed is something I have never seen done before in a court of law. Despicable. JMOO

 

[Wishbone]

If I remember correctly the notion of what TM said during the 911 call was introduced or suggested by the prosecutor during closing arguments. Not sure what the defense could have done at that point of time. It was a sleazy move by the state.

JMO

They also brought in Assistant Attorney General Maureen Hughes to that little backwoods town to prosecute the case. All the cards in the deck were stacked against TM regardless of his guilt or innocence. JMOO

 

[alexwood]

I believe that he is entitled to a new trial.

 

[Spectrix]

I can't attest to TM's guilt or innocence but when I watched the original trial I believed it to be one of the most biased and poorly investigated and prejudicial trials I have ever suffered through. Also his attorney did not represent him in the very least. He needs a new fair trial for a just verdict. A change of venue would be helpful as well. JMOO

Just came across this, do you happen to have links for the original trial? I'm having trouble locating.
Many thanks

 

[Wishbone]

dbm

 

[Joe Friday]

Just came across this, do you happen to have links for the original trial? I'm having trouble locating.
Many thanks

Court TV covered the original trial. Click on the link below and it will take you to all episodes.

COURT TV

The Original True Crime Obsession | LIVE Gavel-to-Gavel Trials | In-depth Legal Reporting | Expert Analysis Watch 24/7 Court TV LIVE Stream Today! Join the Investigation Newsletter, follow the FACTS of the case on Court TV social pages, plus, watch 140+ FREE classic trials in Court TV Archives...

www.youtube.com

 

[Spectrix]

I've now watched most of the 2019 trial; with the exception of the opening and closing statements. I haven't yet started to watch the current hearing so my comments are in respect to the original trial.
It's a really interesting case and I'm quite puzzled by the forensic pathologist's finding that the death be classed as a homicide.

My assumption has been that Amy fell against the rake that was leaning against the wall, then fell onto the rake after it fell on the floor. Bizarre but probable. She died while trying to crawl out of the barn and was found on her hands and knees with the rake stuck in her back.

I am thinking something along these lines.
The shape of the corn rake and the direction of the puncture wounds are such that it would be very difficult for an attacker to inflict those particular injuries unless Amy was already lying or crouching face down at ground level, especially when you consider the very narrow confines of the pathways in the barn.

I was surprised to see Todd take the stand at his own trial, but he presented very well and he offered perfectly reasonable explanations for some particulars such as the internet searches. He remained calm and direct and wasn't flapped by the prosecutor on cross.
I was appalled that the prosecutor chose to invent phrases out of the garbled mumblings of a distraught husband on the 911 call. That was a cheap shot at Todd during his cross examination and the defence attorney didn't even bother to object.

The prosecutor actually missed a perfect opportunity with the internet searches, in particular a google search for how the Aztecs dealt with adultery will tell you that either stoning or impalement was common.

In regards to the notion that Todd attacked Amy over her affair, I just don't find it likely, not at that particular time when he didn't appear to even know about the affair. He had approached Jerry Fraser and his wife months earlier in a calm and rational manor and it seems that his concerns were put at ease after speaking to the both of them.

The only tension observed during the time of Amy death seemed to be in regards to an argument between Amy and Todd's mother, and Todd had stuck up for Amy over that.

I'm surprised that a jury found this man guilty of murder after this trial, even if Todd's defence attorney was completely hopeless.
I really hope the current proceedings eventually lead to a better outcome for the family. Bad enough that those kids lost their mum, having their Dad convicted and imprisoned for her murder must be just awful for them.

 

[Spectrix]

The shape of the corn rake and the direction of the puncture wounds are such that it would be very difficult for an attacker to inflict those particular injuries unless Amy was already lying or crouching face down at ground level, especially when you consider the very narrow confines of the pathways in the barn.

Just to clarify this, for those following along. The most prominent wounds were at an angle close to 90* in relation to her spine.
The tines on the rake are at a 90* angle to the handle. This means that the rake handle was parallel to her spine when the tines entered her body (as it would be if she fell on the rake).
Anyone with experience with rakes knows that they are made for pulling. IE the forces applied to the rake handle must be parallel to the handle. Attempting to apply sufficient force to the tines to pierce a human body at a 90* angle to the handle would result only in bend tines or a broken handle.
I note that the rake does have a broken handle, but the broken end is weathered, ie it was broken years before the accident.

For context - I have broken my share of rakes

 

[MTW2011]

I've now watched most of the 2019 trial; with the exception of the opening and closing statements. I haven't yet started to watch the current hearing so my comments are in respect to the original trial.
It's a really interesting case and I'm quite puzzled by the forensic pathologist's finding that the death be classed as a homicide.



I am thinking something along these lines.
The shape of the corn rake and the direction of the puncture wounds are such that it would be very difficult for an attacker to inflict those particular injuries unless Amy was already lying or crouching face down at ground level, especially when you consider the very narrow confines of the pathways in the barn.

I was surprised to see Todd take the stand at his own trial, but he presented very well and he offered perfectly reasonable explanations for some particulars such as the internet searches. He remained calm and direct and wasn't flapped by the prosecutor on cross.
I was appalled that the prosecutor chose to invent phrases out of the garbled mumblings of a distraught husband on the 911 call. That was a cheap shot at Todd during his cross examination and the defence attorney didn't even bother to object.

The prosecutor actually missed a perfect opportunity with the internet searches, in particular a google search for how the Aztecs dealt with adultery will tell you that either stoning or impalement was common.

In regards to the notion that Todd attacked Amy over her affair, I just don't find it likely, not at that particular time when he didn't appear to even know about the affair. He had approached Jerry Fraser and his wife months earlier in a calm and rational manor and it seems that his concerns were put at ease after speaking to the both of them.

The only tension observed during the time of Amy death seemed to be in regards to an argument between Amy and Todd's mother, and Todd had stuck up for Amy over that.

I'm surprised that a jury found this man guilty of murder after this trial, even if Todd's defence attorney was completely hopeless.
I really hope the current proceedings eventually lead to a better outcome for the family. Bad enough that those kids lost their mum, having their Dad convicted and imprisoned for her murder must be just awful for them.

BBM.
It wouldn’t be the first time this specific ME ruled a manner and cause of death as homicide only to result in a conviction and later the appeals Court overturn the conviction and reward a new trial.

Todd may be guilty AND he also could’ve had terrible attorneys and an unfair trial. I’m also puzzled as to how the jury decided the case was proven beyond a reasonable doubt and I watched the whole trial. I’ve also been watching all the new hearings with his new attorneys and it’s been wild watching the defense experts as well as his previous attorney. His new attorneys are trying really hard for him, much more than his previous trial attorneys seemed to. JMO