DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - The Iowa Court of Appeals has reversed a murder conviction, ordering a man involved in a deadly street fight to be found guilty of a lesser charge instead.
William Shekey (Shee-Key) was found guilty of second-degree murder in Humboldt County in the death of Michael Ruberg during a party in Rutland on April 5, 2008. Court records show the men exchanged punches during an argument. Ruberg was found unconscious and later died.
Shekey was sentenced to 50 years in prison. On Wednesday, the appeals court ruled evidence shows Ruberg's death was unintentional and ordered Shekey be found guilty of involuntary manslaughter. That carries a five-year sentence.
Attorneys for Shekey weren't available Wednesday. A telephone message left for prosecutors wasn't immediately returned.
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