Jefferson City man charged with first-degree murder seeks to defend self, have jury trial

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Jefferson City man who is accused of killing the mother of his child filed a motion this week to defend himself in court.

Sergio Sayles, 39, is charged in Cole County with first-degree murder, armed criminal action, tampering with evidence and first-degree stalking in the 2023 death of Jasmine King. He is being held at the Cole County Jail without bond. A pretrial conference is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 6.

Sayles on Tuesday filed a notice of change of counsel and wrote that he would defend himself. The motion also states that he is requesting to change the trial back to a jury trial. In April, Sayles’ counsel sought a bench trial in exchange for the state to drop its pursuit of the death penalty in the case.

Sayles wrote in the notice that he is withdrawing that previous motion to waive his right to a jury trial.

Police found King dead from stab wounds to her head, face, neck, torso and back in her home in the 300 block of West Ashley Street in April 2023, according to a probable cause statement in previous reporting.

Last month, the court determined cellphone location testimony would not be included during the trial.