Boone County judge orders bond investigation for Waffle House homicide suspect

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

During a Wednesday afternoon court hearing, Boone County Judge Stephanie Morrell ordered a bond investigation for the man accused of murder at a Columbia Waffle House.

Leo B. Robinson, 50, of Columbia, faces a count each of second-degree murder and armed criminal action in connection with the Sunday night shooting death of 51-year-old Reginald Ball in the parking lot of the restaurant on Vandiver Drive.

Morrell set the bond investigation hearing for March 24. The judge could decide to set bond for Robinson during the hearing.

As of Wednesday, Robinson will continue to be held without bond in the Boone County Jail.

Morrell also set a preliminary hearing in Robinson's case for 9 a.m. on April 22.

As the judge was setting the future court dates, Robinson mentioned he planned on turning himself in. Columbia police arrested the homicide suspect on Tuesday, according to a release from the police department. It did not include where or when he was taken into custody.

Robinson also said "it was self-defense," in reference to the shooting of Ball. Morrell asked Robinson to refrain from talking about the case until he had an attorney.

Police said Ball was shot after he and Robinson had gotten into a verbal argument in the Waffle House parking lot. Witnesses told investigators they heard multiple gunshots.

Ball was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after police arrived.