A Des Moines woman is standing trial in Jasper County in a case connected to the overdose death of a Newton woman in 2023. A jury trial began yesterday for 26 year old Taylor Elizabeth Ann Nelson. Newton Police charged Nelson with delivery of a controlled substance under five grams of heroin, a Class C Felony. On July 9th, 2023, Newton officers started investigating the overdose death of 25 year old Kristen Nichole Ewing, who died at her home on 1st Avenue East. At the scene, officers reported finding drug paraphernalia along with three rocks of a brown substance. Newton Police say the substance weighed .2 grams and tested positive for fentanyl at the State DCI lab. Officers also claim there are Facebook Messenger messages indicating Nelson sold Ewing one gram of heroin for $200 dollars at a nail salon in Des Moines, two days before Ewing’s death. In another Facebook message, authorities say Nelson admits Ewing’s death was her fault. 

District Court Judge David Faith is presiding over the trial.