DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) - The Iowa Court of Appeals has overturned the kidnapping conviction of a Davenport teenager who is serving a life sentence for first-degree murder. Ruling in the case of Christopher Langley, 17, the court said prosecutors did not have enough evidence to sustain the kidnapping charge. Langley and two others were convicted of first-degree murder and kidnapping last year in the death of Mark Willis, 53, of Davenport. On the kidnapping charge, the Court of Appeals said there was no testimony that "reveals how the victim came to the scene of his death." Scott County Attorney Bill Davis said he was not surprised at the ruling and said it had no impact on Langley's prison term. "Langley still has a life sentence," Davis said. Langley was convicted of murder, kidnapping and three other charges in September 2004. Also convicted in the case were Michael Cargill, 17, and Trenton Howard, 19. Willis was reported missing Feb. 23, 2004 and his body was found days later in a creek in rural Scott County. Officers found his sport utility vehicle abandoned on Interstate 74 near Bloomington, Ill., with stolen license plates and a cluttered interior that included a police citation made out to Langley. Trial testimony indicated the three teens kicked, beat and stabbed Willis, who was left to drown in a creek. The three took Willis' car and ATM card, played pool in Davenport and returned to the crime scene with several friends, according to testimony. Then they drove to New Orleans and Orlando, but wrecked the car on the trip back. They hired a limousine to return to Davenport. Willis' sister, Kathleen Smith, said the court's decision on the kidnapping charge was distressing. "I'm shocked, upset and numb," said Smith, who lives in Bettendorf. "I don't see how they could have overturned this. They kidnapped and killed my brother and that's that." In sentencing Langley last year, Scott County District Court Judge David Sivright said he believed Langley was a sociopath and hoped he could find help through the Iowa Department of Corrections. Langley is serving his sentence at the Iowa State Penitentiary in Fort Madison.

(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)