Opinion ID: 2233526
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Did the Postconviction Court Err in Deciding, Without Aid of a Jury, a Question of Fact?

Text: Todden asserts a jury, not the postconviction court, should have decided whether Pontious perjured himself or made a labeling error. He cites no decisions for this contention, other than those articulating the general rule that the credibility of a witness is ordinarily a question for the jury. See State v. Frank, 298 N.W.2d 324, 329 (Iowa 1980). Todden misconceives the role of a postconviction court. It has a statutory duty to make specific findings of fact, as we pointed out in Allen v. State, 217 N.W.2d 528, 530 (Iowa 1974). See Iowa Code § 663A.7 (1983). We have recognized a postconviction court's obligation to find facts without the aid of a jury in numerous decisions. See, e.g., Fryer v. State, 325 N.W.2d 400, 410 (Iowa 1982); Kyle v. State, 322 N.W.2d 299, 303 (Iowa 1982). Todden's application for postconviction relief alleged Pontious had testified falsely in the respect above discussed. He had the burden to prove this by a preponderance of the evidence. The court was required to determine whether or not this allegation was sustained. We find no error here. We have examined and rejected all of the other arguments made by Todden even though they are not discussed in this opinion. We affirm the judgment of conviction and the judgment denying postconviction relief. AFFIRMED ON BOTH APPEALS.