Alford pleas entered by Mason City man accused of kidnapping, attempted murder in southwest Iowa
GREENFIELD — A Mason City man arrested last year in southwestern Iowa and charged with kidnapping and attempted murder has entered an Alford plea in the case and faces up to 45 years in prison.
51-year-old Michael Dolezal was accused of removing a female victim from the inside of a truck with the intent to inflict serious injury on the night of September 24th. The Adair County Sheriff’s Department says they received a 9-1-1 call shortly before midnight with the line being open with no response, but a short time later a dispatcher heard a female screaming “stop” repeatedly. 9-1-1 mapping showed the call was coming from Interstate 80. A second 9-1-1 call was received shortly after midnight by a witness who described an altercation in or very near the inside lane of travel.
On response, authorities located a vehicle in the ditch near mile marker 84 but did not see anyone inside. Law enforcement later located a male holding a female in his arms with what appeared to be blood on the ground near the pair. When talking with the female, authorities say she stated it was the male who had stabbed her about 10 times.
Dolezal was originally charged with first-degree kidnapping, a Class A felony punishable by life in prison, as well as attempted murder and possession of a controlled substance.
As part of a plea agreement filed on Friday in Adair County District Court, Dolezal entered Alford pleas to third-degree kidnapping while in possession of a dangerous weapon and as an habitual offender, willful injury causing serious injury while in possession of a dangerous weapon and as an habitual offender, both Class C forcible felonies, as well as possession of a controlled substance third offense as an habitual offender, a Class D felony. With an Alford plea, a person does not admit guilt but acknowledges there is enough evidence for a likely conviction.
The terms of the plea agreement state that Dolezal will receive 15 year sentences on each charge for a total of 45 years, with a 13 year mandatory minimum. Dolezal is scheduled to be sentenced on June 7th.
