Judge delays possible plea for Columbia arson, murder suspect
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
A Columbia arson and murder suspect will get two more weeks to discuss a possible plea with his attorney.
Steven Strumpf, 31, was in the Boone County Courthouse on Tuesday for a hearing in his 2024 murder case. Judge Jeff Harris allowed Strumpf and his attorney, Manuel Tatayon, to discuss the terms of a possible plea. Harris set another hearing for Strumpf on Oct. 29.
Tatayon and Boone County Prosecutor Roger Johnson declined to comment after the hearing.
Steven Strumpf is accused of killing David Strumpf in January 2024 on Deerfoot Way in south Columbia. Police accused Steven Strumpf of stabbing David Strumpf and setting him and the house on fire.
Judges have ordered mental health evaluations for Strumpf, the most recent coming in June. Tatayon notified the court in May that mental health evaluators felt Strumpf may be incapable of understanding the case and allegations before him.
