A woman who allegedly owned several dogs that killed two women, including a public health employee, is finally on trial after several delays.
The trial of Brandy Dowdy has been delayed 15 times since her indictment in August 2022.
Dowdy is charged with manslaughter in the deaths of Michelle Ann Sheeks and Jacqueline Summer Beard.
Sheeks was attacked by a pack of dogs in Franklin County on April 27, 2022. The next day, Beard, an employee of the Alabama Department of Public Health, went to the Crumpton Road property to investigate for rabies. She was also attacked.
Sheeks died on July 12 after being hospitalized.
Beard was found dead inside her vehicle on the day she was attacked.
During the first week of the trial, body camera footage from after the attacks was shown of Dowdy telling officers she was worried “something like this would happen,” WAFF reported. Her ownership of the dogs is in question. Although she told investigators she fed and cared for the dogs, she also said the three animals roamed around in a pack.
Jurors also heard testimony from several witnesses, including medical professionals, Dowdy’s uncle, who was bitten on the same day as the attack on Beard, and an ADPH official who said Beard was one of the best employees he ever had.
The trial will continue with testimony on Monday.
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