MUSCATINE COUNTY, Iowa -- A man has pleaded not guilty to a murder charge he's facing in the death of a woman found dead near a highway.
Douglas Joseph Foster was expected to appear in court on Friday, February 1. Foster entered a written plea of not guilty and did not appear in court, according to Muscatine County Attorney Alan Ostegren.
Two days later, Foster was taken into custody, initially arrested as a "material witness."
An autopsy showed Ponce died from blunt force trauma to the head. Her injuries indicated she was struck by a vehicle, dragged by a vehicle and was thrown or jumped from a vehicle.