Milo farmer who killed neighbor is released
Posted: Wednesday, October 29, 2008
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) -- A central Iowa farmer who killed his neighbor and hid the body in a cistern is out of prison.
Rodney Heemstra, of Milo, was released from the state prison in Fort Dodge on Tuesday after serving more than four years for killing Tom Lyon in January 2003. He walked out of the prison just before 8 a.m. carrying a box, then climbed into a car and drove away without making any comments.
Heemstra was originally convicted of first-degree murder. He appealed and the Iowa Supreme Court ordered a new trial. Last year, a jury found Heemstra guilty of voluntary manslaughter and he was sentenced to 10 years. He was given credit for time served on the murder conviction and released after four years and four months behind bars.
Prosecutors said Heemstra shot Lyon with a rifle after an argument. Heemstra maintained he shot Lyon in self defense after Lyon lunged at him.
Two men apparently had a history of confrontations about land and cattle-watering equipment.
After killing Lyon with a single shot, Heemstra dragged his body more than a mile before hiding it in a cistern and covering it with hay.
Lyon's family has filed a lawsuit scheduled for trial next month in Polk County District Court. In an earlier civil trial, a Warren County judge awarded Lyon's family $11.5 million in damages. A three-judge panel of the Iowa Supreme Court later declared that verdict invalid.
Rodney Heemstra, of Milo, was released from the state prison in Fort Dodge on Tuesday after serving more than four years for killing Tom Lyon in January 2003. He walked out of the prison just before 8 a.m. carrying a box, then climbed into a car and drove away without making any comments.
Heemstra was originally convicted of first-degree murder. He appealed and the Iowa Supreme Court ordered a new trial. Last year, a jury found Heemstra guilty of voluntary manslaughter and he was sentenced to 10 years. He was given credit for time served on the murder conviction and released after four years and four months behind bars.
Prosecutors said Heemstra shot Lyon with a rifle after an argument. Heemstra maintained he shot Lyon in self defense after Lyon lunged at him.
Two men apparently had a history of confrontations about land and cattle-watering equipment.
After killing Lyon with a single shot, Heemstra dragged his body more than a mile before hiding it in a cistern and covering it with hay.
Lyon's family has filed a lawsuit scheduled for trial next month in Polk County District Court. In an earlier civil trial, a Warren County judge awarded Lyon's family $11.5 million in damages. A three-judge panel of the Iowa Supreme Court later declared that verdict invalid.
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