A district court judge has thrown out a request for a new trial from a man convicted of shooting another man to death in Waterloo in 1990, according to the Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier. Daniel Claybon was found guilty of killing 24 year old Jeffrey Woods while Woods and his fiance were out on a walk. Prosecutors argued Claybon and others involved in the shooting carried out the shooting to make a name for themselves in the gang world. Claybon now says two witnesses have recanted their testimony, including one who says he was 13 at the time and was coerced by police and prosecutors. The judge, however, determined both witnesses were not eyewitnesses and came after the fact and likely would not be enough to change the verdict because of other eyewitnesses and evidence against Claybon. Claybon is now 53 years old and is serving a life sentence.
