Court and Trials Archives

Columbia businessman’s fate uncertain after Missouri Supreme Court ruling

April 3, 2020 11:07 AM Matthew Sanders

A Columbia businessman’s freedom was uncertain Friday after a Missouri Supreme Court decision that could send him back to prison.

Lawsuit filed after chase, deadly crash in Cole County

April 2, 2020 11:13 PM Katie Greathouse

The family of two people killed in a crash that happened during a pursuit last year has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against law enforcement officers as well as Jefferson City and Cole County.

Curtis Allen Lewis is charged with voluntary manslaughter, among other charges, after a shooting in Columbia.

Suspect in deadly Columbia shooting seeks to get out of jail over COVID-19 concerns

April 2, 2020 11:00 PM Katie Greathouse

The suspect in a deadly shooting outside of a Columbia nightclub wants out of jail amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Appeals court rejects Columbia death row inmate’s case

April 1, 2020 3:32 PM Lucas Geisler

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (KMIZ) A Columbia man once again lost his claim to avoid the death penalty. The 8th Circuit Court of Appeals agreed that Ernest Lee Johnson’s lawsuit should be dismissed following a U.S. Supreme Court decision regarding another Missouri inmate. Johnson has faced the death penalty for two decades after killing three people

Evictions suspended, other court changes made in Boone and Callaway counties

March 23, 2020 8:42 PM Lucas Geisler

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Evictions in Boone and Callaway counties are on hold for the next month in an order issued by the area’s presiding judge. An order from 13th Circuit Presiding Judge Kevin Crane suspended all evictions through April 17. The order said that “it is not in the interest of the public health to

Police arrest third suspect in Jefferson City shooting

March 19, 2020 3:51 PM Katie Greathouse

The Jefferson City Police Department arrested a third person after a shooting near a gas station at the roundabout at Jefferson Street and Stadium Boulevard on March 11.

High-profile attorney to represent Columbia man charged in wife’s disappearance

March 10, 2020 6:47 PM Lucas Geisler

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A high-profile Missouri attorney will represent a Columbia man charged in connection with his wife’s disappearance. Scott Rosenblum of St. Louis will defend Joseph Elledge in a Boone County murder case. Rosenblum told ABC 17 News he looked forward to defending Elledge in court. A grand jury indicted Elledge with first-degree murder

JC Schools begins process to appeal circuit court loss

March 10, 2020 6:27 PM Katie Greathouse

The Jefferson City School District began the process to appeal a Cole County judge’s ruling that the district must reinstate a fired administrator.

Judge denies bond for suspect in Cole County teen’s 1991 killing

March 9, 2020 10:56 AM Molly Stawinoga

William “Chris” Niemet, the man arrested in the 1991 shooting death of a teenager in Cole County, could find out Monday whether he will get a chance to get out of jail on bond.

Missouri woman sentenced to 10 years in prison for deadly 2017 crash

March 3, 2020 5:00 PM Matt Ragsdale

A woman was sentenced Tuesday in the Boone County courthouse to 10 years in prison connected to a 2017 deadly crash on Interstate 70.

Mother pleads guilty in connection with daughter’s death

March 6, 2020 9:55 PM Katie Greathouse

A woman originally charged with murder in connection with her daughter’s death has pleaded guilty to a different charge.

Columbia officer charged with involuntary manslaughter in child's death.

Judge denies police officer’s request to have case dismissed

March 6, 2020 9:38 PM Katie Greathouse

A Boone County judge decided Friday not to dismiss the case against a Columbia police officer that hit and killed a child with her cruiser.

Cole County assessor’s assault charge dismissed

March 6, 2020 10:16 AM Joe McLean

The Cole County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office confirmed Friday that it has dismissed a fourth-degree assault charge filed against Cole County Assessor Chris Estes.

New documents reveal how fast CPD officer was going before fatally running over 4-year-old

March 5, 2020 8:15 AM Matt Ragsdale

A second probable cause statement filed Wednesday says a Columbia Police Department officer was driving about 14 miles per hour before she struck and killed a 4-year-old girl outside Battle High School.

Columbia terror suspect sentenced to nearly 20 years in prison

March 4, 2020 11:40 AM Molly Stawinoga

A Columbia man who pleaded guilty to trying to conspire with terrorists will be sentenced Wednesday.

Curtis Hanrahan, left, is defending William "Chris" Niemet, right, who is charged with the 1991 shooting death of Greg Jones

‘Absolutely not guilty’: Attorney for 1991 murder suspect doubts new evidence

March 2, 2020 3:47 PM Barry Mangold

William “Chris” Niemet appeared in court for the first time Monday since he was charged with a 1991 murder of a teenager last week.

Fulton man accused in 1991 teen killing

February 27, 2020 3:04 PM Joe McLean

A Cole County man arrested decades ago for the death of a teenager again faces charges in the case.

Man pleads guilty to lesser charge in 2018 Columbia killing

March 2, 2020 8:41 PM Lucas Geisler

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A man pleaded guilty on Monday to a reduced charge tied to a 2018 Columbia shooting. Elijah Fiore pleaded guilty to first-degree involuntary manslaughter on Monday afternoon, according to a source close to the case. Judge Kevin Crane sentenced him to the maximum ten years in prison. Boone County prosecutors charged Fiore

Elledge pleads not guilty to child abuse, domestic assault charges

March 2, 2020 10:55 AM Amber Tabeling

Joseph Elledge, a Columbia man accused of killing his wife last fall, is set to be arraigned Monday afternoon following his grand jury indictment on a murder charge.

Court documents detail 1991 Cole County murder investigation

February 28, 2020 1:20 PM Joe McLean

EDITOR’S NOTE: Jones’ age at the time of his death has been corrected. JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) Cole County Prosecutor Locke Thompson filed a first-degree murder charge Thursday against William “Chris” Niemet in the 1991 shooting death of 14-year-old Greg Jones. First-Degree Murder Charge Cole County charges Chris Niemet with 1991 murder on Feb. 27,