Judge favorable to release for woman accused of Montgomery County murder
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) -
A Boone County judge said he's inclined to release a woman accused of her husband's killing from jail, but wanted more details on the plan.
Judge Kevin Crane said at a Friday court hearing that he would grant Lynlee Renick's request to get out of jail on her own recognizance. That means Renick would not have to pay the $1 million cash-only bond currently in place, but would face several conditions of release once approved. Crane asked attorneys to come up with and submit a release plan by next week.
Lynlee Renick is accused of shooting and killing her husband, Ben Renick, at their Montgomery County farm in 2017. The case moved to Boone County this year on a change of venue.
Tim Hesemann, Lynlee Renick's attorney, said she would be put under 24-hour electronic monitoring and would agree to home confinement in Boone County. Crane said he wanted to see an order drafted for his consideration that included the release conditions, saying there was "a lot of water to take care of before we get over this bridge."
Hesemann also repeated his argument from last week about Lynlee Renick's medical condition. He said having her stay in jail posed a risk to her life because of "uncontrolled bleeding," and a family history of hemophilia.
Crane said he was supportive of the request from Lynlee's attorney, Tim Hesemann, because several other witnesses in the case were allowed out of jail, as well. That includes "B.B," an ex-partner of Lynlee's that the Missouri State Highway Patrol says told them Renick confided in him about her role in the killing. The man is currently out on bond for a Boone County case of violating a protection order Lynlee Renick took out on him in late 2019.
Montgomery County prosecutor Nathan Carroz opposed the request, saying he had nothing to do with "B.B"'s release since it is a Boone County case. He also brought Ben Renick's brother, Sam Renick, to testify via video. Sam Renick asked Crane to look past Lynlee's "frail appearance." He said there was evidence to suggest she should stay in jail and that she committed a crime.
Carroz said witnesses in the case, including co-defendant Michael Humphrey, made statements that back up the theory that Lynlee Renick shot Ben. Carroz admitted that one of those witnesses has an agreement with the state to testify.
Hesemann and Carroz both said they expect the trial to start in July 2021. Humphrey's trial for first-degree murder and armed criminal action is set to begin in November in Audrain County.
