A Jefferson, who was sentenced to 75 years in prison for sexually abusing his daughter, is appealing his case.

According to court documents, James Exline filed a notice to appeal his jury trial, in which he was found guilty of a Class B Felony for second degree sexual abuse and a Class C Felony for third degree sexual abuse. He is appealing his case to the Iowa Supreme Court. A jury in Bremer County found Exline guilty of sexually abusing his 12-year-old daughter Paige Exline on June 6th. District Court Judge James Drew then sentenced Exline to 75 years in prison on August 6th.

In a letter written by Exline, he states that “grounds of appeal is ineffective representation of counsel for my attorney didn’t file in a timely manner for witnesses to testify on my behave.” Exline also claims 55 other reasons during the trial why he felt his court-appointed attorney failed to cross examine or call witnesses and his attorney also failed to meet his needs and wants during the trial and depositions which may have changed the outcome of the trial.

Court documents show that the letter was written and filed with the Clerk of Court within the 30-day time period that Exline was allowed to appeal following his sentence hearing. Exline was also granted his request to withdraw his attorney, Daniel Gonnerman, and have an Appellate Defender on Appeal appointed to him. The counsel and transcripts are to be provided at the public’s expense.

Online court documents did not show a date of when the hearing will take place on Exline’s appeal. Raccoon Valley Radio will bring you more information as it becomes official.