CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa —

A teen convicted in the death of Melody Hoffman wants a new trial, claiming he had an ineffective counsel, KCRG reports .

Dakota Van Patten, 19, was found guilty of first-degree murder , kidnapping, and conspiracy to commit a forcible felony in a week-long trial last month.

In a handwritten postcard dated Oct. 19, he requested a motion for a new trial. He wrote, “my counsel was ineffective and argued absolutely no defense on my behalf.”

Van Patten faces life in prison without parole, the automatic penalty for first-degree murder in Iowa. Van Patten’s sentencing is set for Nov. 14.

The District Court of Linn County has not yet set a date to hear the request.

Melody Hoffman’s body was found the morning of Feb. 18, 2024, at Lily Lake in Amana. She was 20 years

See Full Page