(Des Moines)– The Iowa Court of Appeals has upheld the child endangerment conviction of Heidi Watkins in the death of her daughter, Shelby Duis. A request for a new trial was also denied.
Watkins appealed on several grounds, claiming the prosecution used inconsistent theories; the denial by the trial court of a motion for a bill of particulars violated her due process and sixth amendment rights; that there was insufficient evidence to find her guilty of child endangerment; the trial court erred in not dismissing the charges in count two of the trial information and that it was unconstitutionally vague; that the trial court erred by disregarding the defendant’s evidence of diminished capacity; and that the trial court erred for failing to grant the defendant’s motion for a new trial.
The appeals court disagreed with all those assertions. The ruling states in part that “the state has presented substantial evidence to conclude beyond a reasonable doubt the defendant was guilty of multiple acts of child endangerment”. It also states that Watkins’ argument that she was unaware of Shelby’s abuse is not supported by the evidence.
Dickinson County Attorney Ned Bjornstad is obviously pleased with the ruling. He hopes it will help the community bring closure to the case.
Mike Johnson, a Spirit Lake attorney that represented Watkins in her appeal, said they’re obviously disappointed. He hinted strongly at the possibility of appealing to the Iowa Supreme Court.
