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A jury has found a man guilty in the death of his girlfriend from 30 years ago.The jury received the case around 11:30 a.m. Tuesday and took about four hours to reach a guilty verdict on second-degree murder.READ MORE: Iowa jury reaches verdict in murder trial for 1989 killing of womanAfter 36 years, Barbara Lenz’s family said they finally have justice.“We’ve been waiting a long time for this,” Jim Lenz said.“It just took an incredible team behind us to get us here today,” Lindsy said.After four hours of deliberation Tuesday, the jury concluded that Robert Davis, now 61, killed Barbara Lenz, then 31, after her disappearance in 1989.“Very kind, very loving,” Mary Meseck, Lenz’s sister, said, calling Lenz a “very loving mother,” and looked at Lindsy, saying that “she loved you so much.”In court Tuesday, the state prosecutor said Davis’ friend testified that he saw Davis slash Lenz’s face with a boot spur the day she went missing.“They were worried that something worse was going to happen to Barbara,” the state prosecutor said. “Little did the family know what was going to happen.”Davis’ defense said Lenz made “poor” life decisions.“Not liking somebody because he’s an abusive guy, I get that, I understand that, I’m with you on that,” the defense said. “Bottom line is, though, they haven’t shown he’s a killer.”Ultimately, the jury ruled in the state’s favor, convicting Davis of second-degree murder, giving Lenz’s former partner some closure.“We had a great time, and the joy most of all was having a baby together with little Lindsy when she was born,” John Crews said. “I’m just so thankful that they caught this man for what he did.”A hope her family clung to for decades.“My heart is just absolutely full with joy right now, going through these trials and tribulations,” Crews said. “I will dance with Barbara one more time in heaven.”Although Lenz’s loved ones will not get her back, they said the verdict brings a sort of closure to the decades-long longing for answers.The state attorney general also released a statement: “No one should get away with murder. Barbara Lenz’s family has been waiting nearly 37 years for justice,” said Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird. “Today, after long last, they have it.”Make sure you can always see the latest news, weather, sports and more from KETV NewsWatch 7 on Google search.NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |
A jury has found a man guilty in the death of his girlfriend from 30 years ago.
The jury received the case around 11:30 a.m. Tuesday and took about four hours to reach a guilty verdict on second-degree murder.
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READ MORE: Iowa jury reaches verdict in murder trial for 1989 killing of woman
After 36 years, Barbara Lenz’s family said they finally have justice.
“We’ve been waiting a long time for this,” Jim Lenz said.
“It just took an incredible team behind us to get us here today,” Lindsy said.
After four hours of deliberation Tuesday, the jury concluded that Robert Davis, now 61, killed Barbara Lenz, then 31, after her disappearance in 1989.
“Very kind, very loving,” Mary Meseck, Lenz’s sister, said, calling Lenz a “very loving mother,” and looked at Lindsy, saying that “she loved you so much.”
In court Tuesday, the state prosecutor said Davis’ friend testified that he saw Davis slash Lenz’s face with a boot spur the day she went missing.
“They were worried that something worse was going to happen to Barbara,” the state prosecutor said. “Little did the family know what was going to happen.”
Davis’ defense said Lenz made “poor” life decisions.
“Not liking somebody because he’s an abusive guy, I get that, I understand that, I’m with you on that,” the defense said. “Bottom line is, though, they haven’t shown he’s a killer.”
Ultimately, the jury ruled in the state’s favor, convicting Davis of second-degree murder, giving Lenz’s former partner some closure.
“We had a great time, and the joy most of all was having a baby together with little Lindsy when she was born,” John Crews said. “I’m just so thankful that they caught this man for what he did.”
A hope her family clung to for decades.
“My heart is just absolutely full with joy right now, going through these trials and tribulations,” Crews said. “I will dance with Barbara one more time in heaven.”
Although Lenz’s loved ones will not get her back, they said the verdict brings a sort of closure to the decades-long longing for answers.
The state attorney general also released a statement: “No one should get away with murder. Barbara Lenz’s family has been waiting nearly 37 years for justice,” said Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird. “Today, after long last, they have it.”
Make sure you can always see the latest news, weather, sports and more from KETV NewsWatch 7 on Google search.
NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |
