Judge rules for plaintiff in Casa Maria lease lawsuit

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The property which contains Casa Maria's Mexican Cantina is back in the hands of Grindstone Plaza Development after a judge's ruling Tuesday.

In August, the restaurant's lease was terminated after Grindstone Plaza Development sued Crystal Umfress and Marion Spence for unlawful detainer and breach of contract. The lawsuit claimed Umfress and Spence owed $60,316.50 in unpaid rent and other costs.

In November, the legal team for Grindstone Plaza Development filed a motion for default judgement against Umfress, claiming she never responded to the petition and summons filed in the case. The motion claims her "failure and refusal to deny the allegations...constitutes an admission."

On Tuesday, Judge Brouck Jacobs granted the default judgement against Umfress. He also granted possession of the property to Grindstone Plaza Development, per an agreement with Spence.

Umfress faces two criminal cases in Butler County unrelated to Casa Maria's. In one case, she's accused of hiring someone to set fire to a Mexican restaurant in Kennett. In the other, she's accused of impersonating an elected official and restaurant owners.

Both cases are scheduled to go to trial in February, with pretrial hearings scheduled for January 13.