Court and Trials Archives

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

Trial for Columbia man charged with murder at a Waffle House underway

July 5, 2023 6:17 AM Isabella Roberts

COLUMBIA, Mo (KMIZ) On Wednesday, trial started for 52-year-old Leo Robinson Jr. for his alleged involvement in a 2021 murder outside of Waffle House on Vandiver Drive. Robinson is charged with second-degree murder and armed-criminal action. The trial will continue at 8:30 a.m. Thursday. According to court documents, in March 2021, Robinson was in an

Deadly Randolph County crash case moved to Carroll County

June 13, 2023 10:19 PM Katie Greathouse

A man accused of killing a pregnant woman and her unborn child in a crash will now have his case moved to Carroll County.

State asks for discipline against trooper accused of sexual abuse

June 13, 2023 6:30 PM Lucas Geisler

The Department of Public Safety is asking a state group take action against a trooper’s peace officer’s license following sexual abuse claims.

Fourth former University of Missouri fraternity brother takes plea deal in hazing case

June 12, 2023 9:37 AM Matthew Sanders

A fourth former member of a shuttered University of Missouri chapter of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor Monday.

Man accused of killing wife in 2006 headed to court ahead of upcoming trial

June 9, 2023 5:45 AM Joushua Blount

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Keith Comfort will have a pre-trial hearing on Friday at 1:30 p.m. before his jury trial on Monday morning at the Boone County Courthouse. Comfort is charged with killing his wife in 2006. According to court documents, in 2019, authorities say Comfort admitted to police in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin that he killed his wife Megan

Columbia murder suspect asks for mental health commitment

June 8, 2023 9:40 PM Lucas Geisler

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) – The lawyer for a murder suspect in Boone County asked a judge to commit their client to a mental health facility. Emma Adams, 20, faces four felonies, including murder, for the killing of Sammy Clemons in January. Her attorney, Jeffrey Hilbrenner, asked Judge Jeff Harris to consider committing her to a

Columbia man pleads guilty to insurance, COVID business relief fraud

June 8, 2023 4:35 PM Lucas Geisler

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) A Columbia man pleaded guilty on Thursday to federal charges for scamming insurance companies on car crash claims and fraudulently obtaining federal COVID-19 relief money. Lawrence Lawhorn made the plea in two separate cases on Thursday. Lawhorn pleaded guilty to wire fraud, mail fraud and identity theft in the car crash

Man pleads guilty after breaking into Audrain Community Hospital

June 8, 2023 3:11 PM Madison Stuerman

MEXICO, Mo. (KMIZ) A Mexico, Missouri man was sentenced Monday after he pleaded guilty to breaking into a hospital. According to online court records, Geoffrey Allen pleaded guilty to an amended misdemeanor count of second-degree property damage after he broke into the Audrain Community Hospital last April. In a plea agreement, Allen will serve two

Several counties running out of time to expunge certain marijuana charges as deadline ends Thursday

June 8, 2023 6:25 AM Kennedy Miller

FULTON, Mo. (KMIZ.) Thursday marks the deadline for counties to expunge low-level marijuana offenses, but several counties including a few in Mid-Missouri aren’t expected to make it. Columbia attorney and marijuana advocate, Dan Viets argues it shouldn’t be necessary to get a court order which forces circuit courts to follow Missouri’s constitution, but Missouri NORML says they’re