Marengo murder trial reset

The first-degree murder trial of a 19-year-old Belle Plaine waitress, who is accused of killing her boss, was reset to April 19.

Jessica Dayton reasserted her waiver of a speedy trial and also asked for a continuance today in Iowa County District Court because the jury questionnaries sent out to determine if a fair and impartial jury could be seated haven't all been returned.

The defense filed a motion last month asking for the questionnaires based on prejudice from pretrial publicity.

The prosecution doesn't want the trial moved.

Dayton is accused of killing her former boss Curtis Bailey, 33, of Marengo, in July. Bailey died from blunt force trauma to the back of the head.

Dayton worked at the Lincoln Cafe in Belle Plaine, which was owned by Bailey.

Bailey's common-law wife, Denise Frei, 42, of Marengo, and her son, Jacob Hilgendorf, 19, of Belle Plaine, are also charged with first-degree murder in the case. Their trial is set for May 17.