No New Trial For Fort Dodge Man Convicted Of Murder

A new trial will not happen for a Fort Dodge man convicted of murder. 37 year old, Joshua Pendelton was convicted earlier this year of the 2019 murder of Rev. Al Henderson. A change of venue was ordered in the case, the trial was held in Scott County.

Pendelton’s attorney asserted during trial that he was hallucinating when the murder took place outside of St. Paul Lutheran Church. Pendelton’s attorney used an insanity defense in the case.

During the trial, two different doctors testified. One testified that Pendelton was insane at the time of the murder, the other testified that he was not.

Pendelton’s attorney filed a motion for a new trial, taking issue with the prosecution’s psychiatric doctor that testified Pendelton was of sound mine when the crime took place. That motion was denied in a ruling filed on Tuesday.

Pendelton is now schedule to be sentenced on 1st degree murder and 1st degree robbery charges later this month.