Man accused of helping Moberly murder suspect evade police gets bond
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
A man who is accused of helping a murder suspect evade law enforcement was given a bond during a hearing on Wednesday.
Skyler Powell, 24, of Moberly, is charged with hindering a felony prosecution. He is accused of helping hide Alayna Mason after she allegedly stole a Randolph County Sheriff’s Office patrol vehicle.
Mason, 20, is one two people who was charged with first-degree murder in the death of Kayla Huff. Mason was also charged with first-degree kidnapping, as well as stealing a vehicle, stealing a gun and escaping confinement in the patrol vehicle theft case.
Powell was being held without bond, but it was reduced to $250,000 on Wednesday, according to court filings. He is still listed on the jail's online roster. His next hearing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 19.
Mason has a hearing scheduled for 9 a.m. Wednesday, June 24.
Powell was allegedly an “overnight guest” at Mason’s residence on May 7, court documents in previous reporting say. Previous reporting shows Mason allegedly 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.
Hunter Ames, 19, is also charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping, tampering with evidence, second-degree burglary and first-degree property damage. He is being held at the Randolph County Jail without bond. His next hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. Thursday, July 23.
Christopher Hull, 23, is charged with kidnapping, tampering with evidence, second-degree burglary and first-degree property damage. He is being held without bond and a hearing is set for 1:30 p.m. Monday, July 6.
Julian Mason, 26, is charged with kidnapping, tampering with evidence, second-degree burglary and first-degree property damage. He is also being held without bond and has a hearing set for 9 a.m. Wednesday, July 8. A juvenile is also accused in the case.
Huff, 16, was last seen May 6 before her body was found about a week later.
A probable cause statement says Alayna Mason told investigators that she, with help from Ames and Hull, had taken Huff to the Rudolf Bennitt Conservation Area in Randolph County with an unknown person in the trunk of a vehicle, where they beat and shot her. Ames allegedly told investigators that the group killed Huff, court documents in previous reporting show.
Hull, Ames and Julian Mason allegedly poured oil or antifreeze into Huff's gas tank the night of her death, according to court documents.
