Columbia man found not guilty of 2022 murder
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
A Boone County jury found a Columbia man charged with murder not guilty on Thursday.
Corey Blueitt, 45, was charged by prosecutors in 2022 and indicted by a grand jury on charges of first-degree murder, armed criminal action and third-degree assault.
On Thursday, a jury returned the verdict of not guilty on two counts but did find him guilty of third-degree assault.
The trial started on Tuesday with the jury selection and lasted three days. 34 potential jurors from the panel of 78 were discharged.
Court documents state the defense made a motion for judgment of acquittal at the end of the state's evidence, but the judge denied the motion along with another made at the end of all evidence.
According to court records, the jury deliberated for 2 hours and 20 minutes.
In a statement to ABC 17 News, Blueitt's defense attorney said "Corey and his family are thankful for the jury’s verdict. He was facing life in prison without parole. We appreciate the jury’s diligence focusing on the evidence. This was a tragic situation. We are happy the jury agreed Corey was acting in self-defense.”
Online court records state a hearing for post-trial motions and final disposition is set for Oct. 31 at 8:30 a.m. Blueitt's defense team asked for a bond reduction but the state was opposed, while the judge denied the motion during the trial but did order a bond investigation.
He is being held at the Boone County Jail without bond.
