Prison sentence for Iowa face mask fight raises questions about mandatory minimums

• There have been national calls to reform mandatory minimum prison sentences for years, including in Iowa.

What happened: Shane Michael, 42, followed Mark Denning outside following a verbal exchange regarding Michael's incorrect mask-wearing inside a a DSM Vision 4 Less store in November, according to court testimony.

• Michael then allegedly attacked, spit and coughed on Denning, yelling, "If I have it, you have it."
• Denning said he was poked in the eye and kneed in the groin by Michael. He also said he almost lost the eye, but a doctor testified that he’ll fully recover.

The aftermath: Michael rejected a plea deal and was convicted this month of assault causing bodily injury, which carries a mandatory decade of prison time in Iowa.

• The deal also would have wiped the case from his record after two years of probation. "He took a hell of a risk by taking this to a jury," Rigg said.

• Michael will likely be eligible for a parole hearing within a year and could be released early, Rigg added.

What’s next: Sentencing is set for May 11.

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