The Iowa Court of Appeals has upheld the murder conviction of an Ottumwa man. In November 2019, a Wapello County jury found Jacob Heckethorn, 21, guilty of second-degree murder and assault with intent to commit serious injury in the august 2018 death of William Shettlesworth. Heckethorn appealed that conviction, citing a lack of evidence at trial. He claims his actions were taken in self-defense. On Wednesday, the appellate court ruled there was substantial proof to support a murder conviction.