SIOUX CITY, Iowa (Iowa Media Wire) — A trial for a Sioux City woman accused of killing her own mother started Monday morning in the Woodbury County Courthouse. Neighbors of the women and investigating officers were among those to take the stand.
Angela Bino has pleaded not guilty to a first-degree murder charge. She and her daughter Jessica are accused in the Oct. 2023 death of Suzette Occhibone, 77. The pair is accused of attacking the women inside an apartment that the three lived in together.
During testimony on the trial’s first day, neighbor Oscar Alvarez testified to hearing loud noises and fighting coming from the next door apartment rented by the three women. He also gave his thoughts on seeing Bino and her daughter carry a box to their car.
“What did you say when you saw the strands of hair and the fingers?” asked Woodbury County Attorney James Loomis.
“‘No.’ I was scared, I was in shock. I said ‘no, I’m going to go inside and call the police because they could kill us too,” Alvarez said through a translator from the witness stand.
The trial is being heard by District Court Judge Tod Deck instead of a jury. Much of Monday’s testimony involved an online Spanish interpreter.
The trail continues Tuesday. The murder trial of Jessica Bino ended in January, though a judge has yet to issue a verdict.