There could be a change of venue in the trial of a northwest Iowa daycare provider who is accused of first degree murder in the death of a child. Defense attorney Edward Bjornstad requested the change of venue for his client, 33-year-old Rochelle Sapp of Orange City, during a pre-trial conference today.
Iowa Assistant Attorney General Coleman McAllister did not object. Citing the extensive media coverage the story has already received, District Judge Edward Jacobsen said he has started the process for a change of venue. Although it is not known yet where the trial will take place, McAllister asked the judge if the trial could start on November 13th. The defense did not object.
Judge Jacobsen said he would try for that date. Sapp is charged in the death of three-year-old Autumn Elgersma. The girl was in Sapp’s care when she was hospitalized with head injuries on October 29, 2013. She died three days later.
(Reporting by Scott Van Aartsen, KIWA, Sheldon)