(Spirit Lake)– Trial for Allison Decker, accused in the December 2020 death of Angel Bastman in Lake Park, continued today (Fri.) with the defense calling Justice Berntson, who was also charged in the case, to the stand. Berntson had testified earlier in the week on behalf of the state. In his testimony today (Fri.), Berntson denied telling Jason Persons, a fellow inmate at the Woodbury county jail while he was incarcerated there, that he had been involved in Bastman’s death, contrary to written testimony from Persons that was given during Thursday’s proceedings…
Decker herself then took the stand. She testified about how she and Berntson traveled to the Bastman residence in Lake Park in separate vehicles December 19th. Decker testified that after having been there a number of hours, she was becoming concerned and was wanting to leave. Decker also told the court that Berntson and Bastman had been spending quite bit of time in the basement using drugs and that she, Decker, was wanting to leave, saying she tried to go downstairs but the door was locked…
Decker maintained she had only gone a couple of basement steps at one point said she was upstairs the entire time when the death of Bastman was taking place…
Under cross examination by Susan Krisko, a special prosecutor from the Iowa Attorney General’s Office, Decker contradicted testimony given Thursday by Nicholas Cain…
Decker added she felt she was “set up” as a suspect in the death. Just prior to court adjournding for the weekend, defense attorney Ned Bjornstad indicated he would not be calling any additional witnesses. Proceedings are scheduled to resume at 9:00 am Monday.
