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  • Testimony Continues In Allison Decker Trial

Testimony Continues In Allison Decker Trial

May 18, 2022 Steve Schwaller

(Spirit Lake)– Testimony resumed today (Wed.) in the trial of Allison Decker, accused in the December, 2020 murder of Angel Bastman at a residence in Lake Park. Among those testifying were Bastman’s sister, Sylvia Holland, who described in detail numerous items taken from the residence she shared with Angel, who stated the items turned up missing a short time after her sister’s death. She estimated the value of the items at about $15,000. Testimony earlier in the day from Trevor Modlin, a special agent with the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, revealed the items were discovered at a residence in Sioux City where Decker had been living following Bastman’s death.

Another highlight of today’s (Wed.) testimony was that of Kelly Kruse, Associate State Medical Examiner who conducted the autopsy on Angel Bastman. She detailed the findings of both external and internal examinations of the body…

“The decedent had significant petechiae, which are burst blood vessels. Those covered the face and they are also noted within the eyes, so looking at the eye color and then underneath the eyelids is also part of that external examination. I could also appreciate at this point some abrasions or scratches on the face.”

Kruse added in her testimony there was also an indication of internal injuries to the neck and thyroid gland…

“She also had some injury to the neck region. She had abrasions and she had a contusion as well. Looking closely, too, she had evidence of what I call a ligature furrow, it’s really an indentation on the neck indicating something was there.”

Kruse added it would be consistent with injury caused by strangulation…

Based on her findings, Kruse testified she was able to determine an official cause of death…

“That told me that there was pressure. Really it’s an indication of injury, more so a blunt force sort of pressure type injury that caused damage to the blood vessels in those muscles, and then bleeding into the surrounding tissue. Would that be consistent with somebody basically strangling her with a belt? Yes.”

Based on her findings, Kruse testified she was able to determine an official cause of death…

Strangulation. And based on these same examinations were you able to perform an opinion as to the manner of death? Yes. What was that? Homicide.”

Kruse says based on the nature of the injuries, she was able to rule out suicide.

Court is due to be back in session at 9:00 am Thursday. The trial is expected to continue through at least Friday.

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