Reptile dealer murder case to be heard in another county
MONTGOMERY CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)
The murder trial of a man accused in the killing of a Montgomery County reptile breeder has been moved to Audrain County.
A Montgomery County judge upheld a defense motion Wednesday that Michael Humphrey's first-degree murder trial should be moved to Audrain County. The jury will come from another county, the judge ruled, though the county has not been selected.
Humphrey, of Jefferson City, is the ex-boyfriend of Lynlee Renick, of Columbia. The two are accused of killing Lynlee Renick's husband, Ben Renick, in 2017. Ben Renick was a well-known snake breeder.
A person who Lynlee Renick was having an affair with came forward with new information over the shooting in January 2019, according to court documents. Troopers said the witness told investigators Lynlee Renick was afraid her husband would take their children.
Troopers say Humphrey joined the plan to kill Ben Renick after a failed poisoning attempt. Humphrey decided not to kill him on the day of the shooting over fears Lynlee Renick would regret killing her husband, according to court documents.
The probable cause statements claim Lynlee Renick shot and killed Ben Renick after Humphrey changed his mind.
A status hearing in Humphrey's case is set for May 4. Lynlee Renick's case remains in Montgomery County. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 15.
