On Wednesday, the Court ruled that Isaac Bachman’s conviction in the June 2023 first-degree murder of 14-year-old Dakari James would be upheld.

Throughout his October 2024 trial in Webster County District Court, Bachman claimed he had acted in self-defense after an online and texting dispute escalated and James came to his home. Bachman shot James four times.

Bachman asked the court for a new trial claiming that the jurors were improperly instructed and claimed that had caused prejudice against him.

According to court filings, the Iowa Court of Appeals rejected Bachman’s arguments and ruled there was overwhelming evidence supporting the guilty verdict.

Bachman is serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole.