Body found in Benton County ruled a homicide
The Benton County Sheriff’s Office located a body after originally receiving a notification about a possible missing person in the area.
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Manslaughter charge filed in deadly Columbia hit-and-run crash
A Columbia woman has been charged with manslaughter and leaving the scene of a fatal crash in the death of a woman who was killed on Paris Road in February 2020.
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Callaway County woman makes insanity plea in murder case
FULTON, Mo. (KMIZ) A Callaway County woman is now in a state mental hospital after pleading not guilty by reason of insanity in a 2020 murder case. Callaway County prosecutor Chris Wilson said Lola Crews made the plea on April 26 and effectively ends the case. Wilson said that two mental evaluations found that Crews
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Judge OKs dozens of prosecution witnesses in Elledge murder case
Judge Brouck Jacobs approved a motion to endorse 56 more prosecution witnesses in the trial against Joseph Elledge, who is accused of killing his wife, Mengqi Ji.
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Boone County Sheriff’s Office says information scarce in nightclub shooting
Despite scores of people being inside The Vault nightclub when a Columbia man was fatally shot last month, witnesses have provided little information, the Boone County Sheriff’s Office said Friday.
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New judge to take over 2017 homicide case
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A new judge will take over a case against a Columbia man accused in a 2017 killing. 28-year-old Jeffrey McWilliams is charged with second-degree murder, robbery and armed criminal action in the death of Augustus Roberts. Roberts died at a home off Lasso Circle in December 2017. Judge Josh Devine will now
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Jury finds Morgan County man not guilty of murder
MONITEAU COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ) A jury found a Morgan County man not guilty of murder. A Moniteau County jury returned the verdict Thursday afternoon. Thomas Capps was accused of killing Ronald Salmons in Versailles back in 2015. The case was moved to Moniteau County on a change of venue request. Prosecutors argued Capps staged a
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New evidence reported in the death of Mengqi Ji
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Prosecutors say they have new evidence in the death of Mengqi Ji who they believe was killed by her husband Joseph Elledge. New court documents describe audio recordings of conversations between Ji and Elledge. The new documents detail 12 secret audio conversations, two recorded by Ji and 10 recorded by Elledge. Boone
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Jefferson City teen charged in connection to Arkansas homicide
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) A Jefferson City teen was arrested in connection with an Arkansas murder. 19-year-old Travis Barker was arrested Friday in Salem, Arkansas. Prosecutors charged him Monday with first-degree murder. Barker is the third suspect arrested in connection to the death of David Lee Stansbury. He will be formally indicted Tuesday.
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Bond reduction hearing set for Friday in Columbia murder case
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The attorney for a man accused of taking part in a robbery that killed someone in 2017 wants a judge to give him the chance to post bond. Stephen Wyse, the attorney for 28-year-old Jeffrey McWilliams, asked Judge Jeff Harris to set a $50,000 cash or surety bond in the case. Such
Continue Reading Columbia man indicted for 2017 homicide
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A grand jury indicted a Columbia man accused in a 2017 murder investigation. 28-year-old Jeffrey McWilliams is a suspect involved in the death of Augustus Roberts in December 2017. McWilliams faces charges for second-degree murder, armed criminal action, and robbery. His court appearance is set for next Tuesday.
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Louisiana man charged with murder in Camden County cold case
A warrant was issued last week for the arrest of Larry G. Hicks, 78, on a second-degree murder charge. Hicks is accused in the Dec. 15, 1984, beating of Diane Lukosius, who was was found next to her abandoned near Camelot Estates in Camdenton, according to court records. Lukosius later died from her injuries.
Continue Reading Suspect charged in 2017 Columbia killing makes first court appearance
Prosecutors have charged a Columbia man with three felonies including murder in a 2017 killing in an upscale subdivision that investigators have tied to a drug-trafficking ring.
Continue Reading Columbia police arrest 2017 homicide suspect
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Columbia police arrested a suspect in the December 2017 home invasion homicide and robbery of a Columbia man. On Monday, police arrested Jeffrey McWilliams, 28, for second-degree murder, first-degree robbery and armed criminal action. Columbia police responded after 3:30 a.m. on Dec. 11, 2017, for a suspicious person in the 1900 block
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Phelps County Sheriff investigating apparent murder-suicide
PHELPS COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ) A couple is dead after an apparent murder suicide, according to the Phelps County Sheriff. According to a Facebook post from the department, deputies were sent to the 11000 block of County Road 3160 around 7:30 Saturday Morning after a family friend found the 66-year-old woman dead in her home. After
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Woman who admitted to causing fatal crash gets 10-year prison sentence
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A woman who pleaded guilty to causing a crash last May that killed a Columbia man was sentenced Wednesday to 10 years in prison. Judge Jeff Harris sentenced Regine McCracken to 10 years in prison for manslaughter. McCracken pleaded guilty in March to manslaughter and three misdemeanors — fourth-degree assault, careless driving
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St. James man charged with second-degree murder after fentanyl overdose
ST. JAMES, Mo. (KMIZ) A Saint James man is now charged with second-degree murder in connection to a fentanyl overdose that happened in Maries County. Tanner Orr, 26, is also charged with delivery of a controlled substance. Kenneth Ahart Junior was found dead in his home in Saint James on Oct. 12 from an overdose.
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Monroe County man gets 20 years for armed criminal action; murder sentence delayed
James Addie is charged with the 2018 death of his fiancée, Molly Watson, in Monroe County.
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Cole County judge denies motion in 1991 cold case
The request for a bill of particulars — a document that details the prosecution’s case — from lawyers representing William “Chris” Niemet of Fulton was denied Wednesday, according to online court records.
Continue Reading Mexico man goes on trial for 2018 murder of mistress
COLE COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ) Opening statements started Monday in the trial against a man accused of a 2018 murder. 54-year-old James Addie faces first-degree murder and armed criminal action charges. Addie is accused of killing 35-year-old Molly Watson in April of 2018. Investigators say Addie was having an affair with Watson and the two planned
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