Court and Trials Archives

Man accused of threatening people with gun at downtown Columbia bar

September 4, 2023 4:36 PM Lucas Geisler, Mitchell Kaminski

A California man is in custody after allegedly threatening people at a downtown Columbia bar on Saturday night.

Man found guilty in first jury trial in new Callaway County Justice Center

September 2, 2023 5:18 PM abc17news-Newsroom

CALLAWAY COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ) The first jury trial in the new Callaway County Justice Center wrapped up this week. Thursday, a Callaway County jury found Mark Randall Pullum guilty of assault and burglary after a two day trial. The trial was the first of its kind in a new court building for Callaway County. Pullum

Legal battle ongoing as law banning gender affirming care for minors goes into effect

August 28, 2023 5:25 AM Nia Hinson, Hannah Falcon

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A Missouri judge signed an order on Friday that allows a law banning gender affirming treatment for minors to go into effect, but the legal battle continues. Attorney General Andrew Bailey sent a letter to Missouri health providers telling them to cease any treatments that might violate this law. No central Missouri

Cole County Courthouse set to receive renovations

August 18, 2023 9:51 PM Mitchell Kaminski

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) The Cole County Courthouse has been standing in Jefferson City for more than 100 years, but it’s beginning to be in need some some repairs. During Tuesday’s Cole County Commission meeting, Judge Jon Beetem made a presentation about repairs to the courthouse, which included the main courtroom on the third floor.

City of Columbia sued, accused of negligence, racial discrimination in 2020 death investigation by mother of man who died

August 16, 2023 7:45 PM Marina Diaz

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The City of Columbia is being sued by Doressia T. Mckee, who alleges racial discrimination led to the Columbia Police Department mishandling the death investigation of her son. Freddie McKee, 37, was found dead outside of a home in July 2020 on Switzler Street. On Dec. 8, after a request from the

Charges dropped in Fayette manslaughter case

August 15, 2023 8:55 PM Lucas Geisler

FAYETTE, Mo. (KMIZ) The Howard County prosecutor dropped charges against a man accused of killing a former Central Methodist University football player. Defense attorney Ben Faber told ABC 17 News that prosecutors dismissed the manslaughter case against Kundarrius Taylor. Faber could not specify when Prosecutor Deborah Riekhof dropped the case, due to it becoming a

Man charged after manhunt in Montgomery County

August 11, 2023 11:33 PM Katie Greathouse

Prosecutors charged a man Friday in connection with a chase in Montgomery County.

Columbia man accused of 2020 Douglass Park murder in court Monday morning

August 7, 2023 4:46 AM Nia Hinson

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The man accused of murder in a deadly shooting on Aug. 25 at Douglass Park is set to face a judge Monday morning for a pre-trial conference. Rickey Murry, 51, is charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action after he’s accused of killing Corey Jordan in 2020. A Boone County assistant

Man accused of murdering pregnant woman shows pattern of domestic violence

August 2, 2023 12:18 PM Hannah Falcon

The Columbia man charged with the murder of a pregnant woman is scheduled to make his first court appearance Wednesday afternoon.

Court rejects Joseph Elledge murder conviction appeal

August 1, 2023 10:39 AM Matthew Sanders

A Columbia man convicted of killing his wife and dumping her body in a wooded area lost his appeal Tuesday.

Investigators say witness interview led to discovery of Betty Hayes remains, arrest of her suspected killer

July 31, 2023 1:11 PM Hannah Falcon

An interview with a witness led to investigators finding the remains of a Monroe County woman who disappeared more than a year ago, according to court documents.

Arrest made in death of missing Monroe County woman

July 28, 2023 10:12 PM Katie Greathouse

Investigators arrested a 65-year-old man in connection with the death of a Monroe County woman who has been missing since 2021.

Suspect in downtown Columbia shooting bonds out of jail

July 25, 2023 10:42 PM Katie Greathouse

A suspect in a downtown Columbia shooting last fall posted bond on Monday.

Lawyer for man arrested, seen in May CPD video still looking at ‘remedies’ in court

July 24, 2023 5:53 PM Lucas Geisler

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The lawyer representing a man seen on video getting hit in the face while Columbia police officers arrested him say he’s still investigating the situation. Bharat Varadachari told ABC 17 News on Monday that he is still exploring different “remedies” in civil court for Lee Martin. “I have great respect for police

Missouri Supreme Court hears arguments in abortion ballot question lawsuit

July 18, 2023 6:16 PM Hannah Falcon

The Missouri Supreme Court is considering a lawsuit against the Missouri Attorney General that would allow an initiative petition on reproductive rights to move forward.

Grand jury won’t indict two former CPD officers for actions in May arrest

July 14, 2023 4:56 PM Lucas Geisler

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) – A Boone County grand jury decided not to indict two former Columbia police officers for their actions during a May arrest. Cooper County Prosecutor Eric Phelps told ABC 17 News that he presented the cases of former officers Gardner Pottorff and Keenen Shouse to a grand jury on Friday, July 7.

Attorney claims DOJ ‘neglect’ should lead to dismissal of Versailles man’s Jan. 6 case

July 11, 2023 5:57 PM Lucas Geisler

WASHINGTON, D.C. (KMIZ) – An attorney representing a Lake of the Ozarks-area man wants a federal judge to dismiss a Jan. 6-related case based on a lack of action from the prosecutor. The attorney for Matthew Loganbill said federal prosecutors have not tried the Versailles man in enough time under the Speedy Trial Act. Attorney

Multiple big Mid-Mo cases headed to court Tuesday

July 11, 2023 7:37 AM Joushua Blount

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Judges are scheduled to hear a handful of cases from multiple counties Tuesday including Boone, Cole, and a Randolph County case which was moved to Carroll County. Boone County Case In Boone County, online court records show Sarah Brown is scheduled to have her initial court appearance at 1:30 p.m. Sarah D. Brown Brown is

New date set to determine whether juvenile will be tried as adult in Columbia murder case

July 7, 2023 4:00 PM Joushua Blount

A judge set a new status hearing Friday for a juvenile charged with the May shooting death of 72-year-old Janet Jago outside her south Columbia home.

Columbia man accused of throwing a woman off bridge in 2022 set to appear in court

July 7, 2023 5:45 AM Isabella Roberts

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Friday morning, Jessie Williams is set to have a hearing. He is charged with first degree murder for allegedly pushing 24-year-old Kaylen Schmit off the Highway 63 bridge near Clark Ln. According to court documents, a witness saw Schmit and Williams at a nearby homeless camp arguing over Williams’ belongings. Witnesses then said the two were walking