Sentencing for Dowdy is set for Aug. 4

RUSSELLVILLE — Almost nine months after being convicted of manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide, Brandy Dowdy will finally learn how long she will serve in prison.

Following several delays, Dowdy, 42, will officially be sentenced at 10 a.m. on Aug. 4.

Dowdy was convicted by a Franklin County jury in November 2025 after dogs on her property in March 2022 killed Michell Ann Sheeks and Jacqueline Summer Beard, an employee with the Alabama Department of Public Health.

Jurors found Dowdy guilty of manslaughter in Beard’s death but opted for the lesser charge of criminally negligent nominee in Sheeks’ death.

Dowdy was also convicted of two counts of Emily’s Law — a 2018 statute aimed at holding owners of violent dogs accountable.

Based on her charges, Dowdy faces up to 41 years in prison.

Originally, Dowdy was scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 4, but a series of complications involving her attorney prolonged the court acting.

Dowdy’s attorney, Jessica Bugge, did not show up for the Jan. 9 sentencing. It took officials from the court and the Franklin County District Attorney’s office more than seven hours to get in contact with Bugge.

Upon reaching Bugge, the attorney told Franklin County Circuit Court Judge Brian Hamilton she experienced a “medical emergency” and could not attend the sentencing in person or via video call.

From there, additional issues between Dowdy and Bugge continued as the latter again failed to show up for a status hearing on April 11. Hamilton then ordered Bugge to appear in court for the next status hearing set for April 30.

Dowdy’s new, courtappointed attorney, J. Shane Cook, asked for a continuance of the case so he could get up to speed on the trial proceedings and subsequent motions and rulings, which was granted.

Less than 24 hours before she was ordered to appear in court by Hamilton on April 30, Bugge filed a motion to withdraw as Dowdy’s counsel.

Hamilton granted Bugge’s request, leaving Cook as Dowdy’s lone attorney.