A man serving a life sentence in Iowa, Benjamin Schreiber, argued that his life sentence had been served when he briefly died in prison due to septic shock and was later revived according to BBC News and The Des Moines Register. He was convicted of first-degree murder in 1996 and sentenced to life without parole. The court ultimately rejected his claim, stating that he was either still alive and thus must remain in prison, or he was dead, in which case the appeal was moot. 

Here’s a more detailed breakdown:

The Incident:
In 2015, Schreiber experienced complications from kidney stones, leading to septic poisoning and a loss of consciousness. He was taken to the hospital where his heart briefly stopped, but he was revived through the use of epinephrine and adrenaline.

Schreiber’s Argument:
He argued that his life sentence was complete when he “died” in the hospital and was revived against his will.

The Court’s Decision:
A three-judge panel of the Iowa Court of Appeals rejected his claim, stating that the law required him to serve his sentence as long as he was alive. They also pointed out that he had signed legal documents while in prison after the incident, indicating he was not actually dead.

Iowa Law:
The court also referenced Iowa law that mandates anyone convicted of a Class A felony must serve their natural life in prison, regardless of any events that occur before their natural life ends according to CNN.