(Cass Co) The trial for former Massena daycare provider Alison Elaine Dorsey has been continued to February following a January ruling by the Iowa Supreme Court granting her a new trial.
According to court records, the trial—originally scheduled to begin October 28—has been rescheduled to February 24 at 9:30 a.m. in Cass County District Court. A pre-trial conference is set for February 18.
The Iowa Supreme Court issued a ruling in the case of Alison Elaine Dorsey, who appealed her conviction for second-degree murder and child endangerment resulting in death. In its ruling, The Iowa Supreme Court affirmed the court of appeals ruling that the evidence was sufficient for conviction, but determined that the venue was improperly changed to Pottawattamie County. Because of the improper change of venue, the defendant (Alison Elaine Dorsey) was granted a new trial.
Dorsey was found guilty of second-degree murder by a jury in Pottawattamie County District Court in June 2023. This conviction stemmed from the death of a child under her care in Massena. Dorsey’s legal team contended that the venue change from Cass County to Pottawattamie County was inappropriate, that she was unjustly denied the opportunity to present additional character witnesses, and that the court erroneously denied her motion for a new trial.
Dorsey’s initial trial in Cass County resulted in a hung jury, prompting the relocation of her second trial to Pottawattamie County.
