Day One of Boat Trial: Defendant Admits to Killing, Wants Lesser Charge
Opening statements were given and testimony was heard from witnesses today in the trial of a Pella woman accused of killing her estranged husband’s girlfriend nearly one year ago. Michelle Boat, 56, faces a charge of first degree murder for the death of Tracy Mondabough of Ottumwa. Marion County Attorney Ed Bull detailed the night of May 18th, 2020, accusing Boat of following Mondabough and Nicholas Boat throughout the evening, eventually confronting and stabbing Tracy. “Scorned. Obsessed. Seething,” were the opening words of Bull as he attempted to present Michelle as planning the kil...