Man accused of helping Moberly murder suspect escape police

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Moberly man is in custody after officials claim he helped a woman accused of murder escape from law enforcement custody.

Skyler Powell, 24, is charged with hindering the prosecution of a felony in Randolph County. He is accused of helping hide Alayna Mason after she allegedly stole a Randolph County Sheriff’s Office patrol vehicle.

Powell is being held at the Randolph County Jail without bond. He was booked into the jail on Saturday and charges appeared on Monday. An arraignment is set for Monday afternoon.

Powell was allegedly an “overnight guest” at Mason’s residence on May 7, court documents say. The probable cause statement says Mason told him that she stole a patrol vehicle and Powell “permitted” Mason to hide herself in the basement of the building. He also allegedly cut Mason’s handcuffs.

Mason is charged with first-degree murder and first-degree kidnapping in the death of 16-year-old Kayla Huff. She is also charged with stealing a vehicle, stealing a gun and escaping confinement in the patrol vehicle theft case.

She will appear in court Monday afternoon along with Hunter Ames – who is also charged with first-degree murder and first-degree kidnapping – and Christopher Hull and Julian Mason, who are each charged with first-degree kidnapping and tampering with evidence.