Michelle Boat after hearing she's been found guilty of Murder in the First Degree on May 11th, 2021. Photo by Court TV/Pool Reporter

Guilty in the First Degree. The verdict was given by the jury in the murder trial of 56-year-old Michelle Boat of Pella after just over 43 minutes of deliberation in Marion County District Court this afternoon at approximately 3 p.m. The charge carries a life sentence without parole. Boat killed Tracy Mondabaugh of Ottumwa on May 18th, 2020. Stay tuned to 92.1 KRLS for additional coverage.
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Verdict as read by Judge Patrick Greenwood:

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Audio from Bull and Assistant County Attorney Jared Harmon:

Marion County Attorney Ed Bull:
“I’m grateful to be in front of a Marion County jury that gave us their full attention and reached a decision quickly and efficiently based on the facts,” he says.