(**Updated 1:34-p.m.) (Atlantic, Iowa) – The trial for an Anita woman facing felony charges of 1^st Degree Murder and Child Endangerment with Bodily Injury resulting in death, will be re-tried at 9:30-a.m. on January 31st. A previous jury in Cass County deadlocked in their verdict on November 4th, resulting in Judge Amy Zacharius declaring a Mistrial. Alison Elaine Dorsey is accused of causing the death of 11-week old Luka Hodges, who was in her care on Oct. 7, 2019 at a home in Massena. The child was showing signs of unresponsiveness and labored breathing before he went limp. Despite multiple attempts to keep him alive via CPR, the child died at Children’s Hospital in Omaha.

Luka’s death was initially declared to be a result of Shaken Baby Syndrome, but the Iowa Medical Examiner’s Office report on the cause of death was inconclusive. Cass County Attorney Vanessa Strazdas made a motion Tuesday, for a Change of Venue, but no information was available as of today (Wednesday), as to whether the motion will be granted.

Dorsey’s previous Defense Attorney DeShawne Bird-Sell has submitted a motion to withdraw as her attorney the new trial. At the conclusion of the previous trial Bird-Sell said she would “Absolutely” work to defend Dorsey, “If that’s what we have to do.”  It’s not clear why she has withdrawn from the case.

**She will be represented instead by Joseph Reedy, a State Public Defense Attorney from Council Bluffs. The State (Prosecution) will once again be represented by Assistant Iowa Attorney General Monty Platz and Cass County Attorney Vanessa Strazdas.