EDDYVILLE — Linda Theresa Mathias, the woman accused of systematically vandalizing a grave in Eddyville, has pleaded not guilty in the case.

Mathias, 60, also listed in court papers as Linda Theresa Cook, faces five counts of third-degree criminal mischief for disturbance of a gravesite. Authorities charged her after she was caught vandalizing Christopher Allgood’s grave at the Eddyville Cemetery earlier this year.

The story goes back years. Allgood died in a crash with a drunken driver in 1990. His father, Steve, visits the grave every day and maintains it. Over the years he routinely saw flowers and decorations torn apart and scattered over the area, acts now attributed to Mathias.

Mathias’ parents are buried several rows away and her ex-husband is buried even closer. His family says it is estranged from Mathias.

Allgood worked with the Mahaska County Sheriff’s Department to keep an eye on the grave after spending more than $3,000 on decorations that were destroyed.

Mathias was arrested in early August after she was photographed at the site.

Online court records do not yet show a trial date but they do indicate a pretrial conference is scheduled for Dec. 21. Mathias’ plea was included in a written arraignment; she has also waived her right to a speedy trial.

The charges are all aggravated misdemeanors carrying up to two years in prison and fines of up to $5,000. Mathias could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted and sentenced to the maximum.

Matt Milner can be reached at (641) 683-5359 or via e-mail at mwmilner@mchsi.com