Las Vegas man convicted of second-degree murder in Rico's shooting

A Polk County jury convicted a Las Vegas man of second-degree murder Friday for the shooting death of Tyrone Hutchins at a Drake-area bar in December 2022.

James Mikale Wiggins, 35, argued that he was acting in self-defense when he was entering Rico’s and Mr. Hutchins, who was also armed, was running out of the bar at 2314 University Ave.

Prosecutors argued that the shooting on Dec. 10, 2022, was planned. Before the shooting, Mr. Hutchins and a friend made social media posts indicating their location at Rico’s. Shortly after those posts, the defendant and several associates arrived at Rico’s, and some of them confronted Mr. Hutchins. Surveillance video shows the defendant was positioned next to the exit as Mr. Hutchins left the bar.

The jury deliberated for just over a day before announcing the verdict.

Second-degree murder carries a sentence of 50 years in prison. Mr. Wiggins will be sentenced Oct. 14.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant County Attorney Kevin Hathaway and First Assistant County Attorney Justin Allen, with assistance by Lindsay Scott. The investigation was led by Detective Lucas Harden of the Des Moines Police Department.