Court and Trials Archives

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Should Missouri’s wrongfully convicted be compensated?

February 20, 2023 3:26 AM ABC 17 News Team

Last week, Lamar Johnson’s conviction was vacated, setting him free from a wrongful conviction.

Pettis County clerk sues county commission, IT department head over recordings

February 9, 2023 4:32 PM Ryan Shiner

The Pettis County clerk and two employees have sued the Pettis County Commission and the head of the county’s IT department after claiming they were recorded illegally.

Man convicted in Ben Renick murder claims key witness testimony hearsay

January 31, 2023 6:45 PM Lucas Geisler

ST. LOUIS (KMIZ) The man convicted of helping kill a prominent snake breeder in Montgomery County is asking for a new trial. Attorneys for Michael Humphrey filed his appeal on Jan. 26 in the state’s Eastern District Court of Appeals. The appeal says Judge Jason Lamb should not have allowed a key witness to testify

Mexico man accused of arson, murder after fatal December fire

January 27, 2023 11:05 AM Kennedy Miller

MEXICO, Mo. (KMIZ) The Audrain County prosecutor issued an arrest warrant Thursday for a man who is allegedly connected with a fire in Mexico that killed a woman last month. Brandon Spears, 43, is charged with first-degree murder, two counts of first-degree arson and armed criminal action. An apartment complex in the 1200 block of

Columbia rape suspect’s bond set at $1 million during Friday hearing

January 27, 2023 3:22 PM Lucas Geisler

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) – A Boone County judge gave a Columbia rape suspect a $1 million cash-only bond at a hearing on Friday. Judge Kevin Crane gave Travis Birkhead, 37, the chance to post a bond to get out of the Boone County Jail. Birkhead, of Columbia, previously had no bond while he faces charges

Bond review hearing scheduled for Columbia doctor accused of rape and assault

January 27, 2023 5:24 AM Kennedy Miller

COLUMBIA Mo. (KMIZ) On Friday afternoon a bond review hearing is set for the Columbia doctor accused of raping and assaulting a woman. Travis Birkhead faces charges of first-degree rape and fourth-degree assault. Back in December Birkhead’s public defender argued for Birkhead to be released with a GPS monitor. However, Boone County Judge Josh Devine rejected Birkhead’s request as

Columbia Board of Education approves April 4 ballot language without Basye’s name

January 23, 2023 7:04 AM Kennedy Miller

An initial hearing in a former state representative’s lawsuit against Columbia Public Schools to get his name on the April election ballot has been set for Tuesday.

Bench trial continues for Jefferson City man accused of killing Lincoln University student

January 20, 2023 6:11 AM Kennedy Miller

COLE COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ) A Jefferson City man facing murder charges for a shooting in 2018, is set to continue his bench trial on Friday morning at the Cole County Courthouse. Alfred Chism Jr. allegedly admitted to killing a Lincoln University student back in 2018. According to court documents, Chism says he shot Charon Session in self-defense. Chism claimed Session had been verbally harassing him prior

Pre-trial conference scheduled for man who confessed to killing his wife in 2006

January 19, 2023 5:47 AM Kennedy Miller

BOONE COUNTY Mo. (KMIZ) On Thursday, a pre-trial conference is scheduled for a Columbia man who admitted to killing his wife back in 2006. Comfort first reported his wife as missing after he allegedly killed her in 2006. After 13 years, Comfort finally confessed to killing his wife, Megan Shultz after she allegedly told him she was

Woman accused of murder, burning body appears in court; more hearings set

January 13, 2023 3:20 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A Columbia woman accused of murder appeared in court Friday by video from the Boone County Jail. Emma Adams, 20, refused to appear in court on Thursday. She is charged with second-degree murder, armed criminal action, tampering with evidence and abandoning a corpse. She pleaded not guilty. Adams is being held in

Woman accused of murder to appear in court

January 13, 2023 7:44 AM Kennedy Miller

EDITOR’S NOTE: This story has been updated. The victim has yet to be identified by officials. BOONE COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ) A 20-year-old woman accused of murder is expected to appear in court on Friday at 1 p.m. in the Boone County Courthouse. Emma Adams is charged with murder after an “unidentifiable” man was found dead

Judge grants motion of continuance for woman accused of killing a 4-year-old in 2018

January 11, 2023 8:35 PM Marina Diaz

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) During Wednesday’s motion hearing, a woman accused of killing a 4-year-old boy in 2018 was granted a motion of continuance. Givens was charged with first-degree murder, endangering the welfare of a child, abuse or neglect of a child, and abandonment of a corpse in relation to the death of 4-year-old Darnell

Man convicted of murdering Columbia Daily Tribune Sports Editor released on parole

January 9, 2023 7:38 AM Kennedy Miller

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A man convicted of killing a Columbia Daily Tribune Sports Editor in 2001 was released from prison on Monday at 8 a.m. according to Missouri’s Department of Corrections. Charles Erickson was originally sentenced to 25 years behind bars after confessing to the murder of Kent Heitholt and is set to be released

Marijuana expungement, release application for people incarcerated out now

January 6, 2023 6:40 PM Lucas Geisler

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) – People incarcerated for certain marijuana crimes can now apply to have their sentences thrown out. The Missouri State Public Defender’s Office released the application on its website. The one-page form allows for people in a jail, prison or halfway house to ask a court to order their release on drug charges

Mother of Benton County child killed takes plea deal, could avoid murder charge

January 4, 2023 12:52 PM Lucas Geisler

The mother of a 4-year-old girl who died after several weeks of alleged abuse accepted a plea deal in the case on Wednesday.

Hearing for man charged in Clark Lane shooting

December 29, 2022 5:26 AM Joushua Blount

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) According to online court records, Columbia resident Noah Solbrekken has a court hearing on Thursday at 1:30 p.m. for a preliminary hearing at Boone County Court House. Solbrekken is charged with first-degree assault, unlawful use of a weapon and armed criminal action. According to Columbia Police, Solbrekken is charged in connection with the Nov. 2 shooting

Suspect in 1984 Columbia assault and rape seeks public defender

December 21, 2022 12:05 PM Zachary Farwell

A man accused in a 1984 assault and rape in northeast Columbia told a judge Wednesday that hopes to get a public defender.

1984 Columbia rape suspect has first Boone County court hearing; will have bond hearing Wednesday

December 19, 2022 11:15 AM Erika McGuire

A North Carolina man accused of raping and assaulting a woman in Columbia in 1984 will have his first court appearance Monday after being brought back to Missouri on Friday.

Columbia doctor charged with rape and assault denied bond reduction

December 19, 2022 11:50 AM Joushua Blount

A Boone County judge rejected Monday a request to let a Columbia doctor go free on bond as he awaits trial for rape.

Miller County judge sentences ex-Tuscumbia High School teacher to prison

December 14, 2022 1:31 PM Zachary Farwell

MILLER COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ) A former Tuscumbia High School teacher could spend up to 10 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections. Judge Matthew Hamner sentenced Michael Allen Wednesday morning to eight years in prison on two felony counts of sexual contact with a student. Allen also received an additional two years in prison for