A Delaware County judge has rejected a post-conviction challenge from a man convicted in 2019 of murdering his wife. In a ruling filed May 29, Iowa District Court of Delaware County dismissed Todd Mullis’ application for post-conviction relief, affirming his first-degree murder conviction. Mullis was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. He was previously convicted by a jury of killing 39-year-old Amy Mullis with a corn rake in November of 2018, at their farm near Earlville. Authorities say Mullis fatally stabbed his wife and her death was an accident. Mullis appealed his conviction, arguing that there was not enough evidence presented at his trial to support the verdict. The Iowa Supreme Court later denied a request for further review in Mullis’ case. In his request for post-conviction relief, Mullis raised over 100 claims, arguing that his constitutional rights were violated and that he received ineffective legal counsel. In a news release, Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird responded last week to the new Delaware County ruling, affirming Mullis’ conviction. The Attorney General’s Office “stands ready to defend the jury’s guilty verdict once again” if Mullis appeals the newest ruling.
