Man shot by Jefferson City police asks for change of venue in case

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A man who was charged with multiple felonies after he was shot by Jefferson City police officers in February is asking for a change of judge and venue.

Joey Hampton, 40, of Jefferson City, is charged in Cole County with two counts of first-degree assault and single counts of shooting at a vehicle, armed criminal action and illegal gun possession. He is being held at the Cole County Jail without bond. 

Hampton appeared by video from the jail for his arraignment on Monday and pleaded not guilty. His lawyer, assistant public defender Juliana Payne, filed a motion on Monday asking for a change of judge and venue.

The motion says Hampton is hoping for the case to be moved to either Jackson County, St. Louis County or the city of St. Louis and alleges that Cole County residents “are prejudiced against him.”

Payne also filed a motion for Hampton on Monday that asked the state for a mental exam.

Court documents in previous reporting say Jefferson City police officers were trying to contact Hampton on Feb. 26 “in relation to reports that had received that Hampton was involved in the sale and use of illegal drugs, was in possession of a stolen firearm, and had brandished a firearm and/or threatened person(s) with a firearm.”

Hampton allegedly fired shots at the officers, hit a patrol vehicle and officers returned fire. The Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control is investigating.

The names of the officers involved in the shooting have not been released.

The next hearing is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Friday.