Judge orders public defender to be appointed for man accused in Jefferson City bar shooting

JEFFERESON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Cole County judge on Friday declared that a Kansas City man accused of killing two men at a Jefferson City bar is indigent and must be appointed a public defender.

Damien Davis, 35, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of armed criminal action, two counts of unlawful use of a weapon and illegal gun possession in the shooting death of 26-year-old Skylar Smock and 43-year-old Corey Thames early Saturday at J. Pfenny's Sports Grill and Pub.

Davis was initially denied a public defender Thursday because his income was above the requirements in order to receive one, according to a letter sent from the state public defender's office.

Davis appeared in court via video from the Cole County Jail on Friday. He told the Judge Brian Stumpe that access to his money had allegedly been frozen.

A bond hearing for Davis is set for 1:30 p.m. Monday. He is currently being held at the Cole County Jail without bond.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 1 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 27.