Benjamin Schreiber, serving life without parole, had suffered septic poisoning in 2015 and was briefly resuscitated by doctors. Four years later, he went to court claiming that his temporary death meant his life sentence had been fulfilled.

The judges dismissed the appeal, stating that under Iowa law, a life sentence continues until a person’s natural death. The court added that if Schreiber was alive to bring the case, then his punishment remained in effect, and if he was dead, there would be nothing to appeal.