Man charged in relation to Plush Lounge parking lot shooting now charged with murder
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Samuel Lee Moss has now been charged with second-degree murder for his alleged involvement in the May 7 shooting that left one dead and four others hurt.
The 26-year-old is charged with second-degree murder, two counts of armed-criminal, two counts of unlawful gun possession and unlawful use of a weapon. He is being held in the Boone County Jail without bond. The state's application for a change of judge was sustained Monday.
Moss was initially charged with unlawful use of a gun, illegal gun possession and armed-criminal action. His charges were upgraded as of Monday.
Moss is now the third person to be charged with murder in this case. Joining Justin Lamarr Simpson, 40, who has been charged with second-degree murder, along with other charges. Kimo Spivey, 33, was charged with second-degree murder as well.
Court records show that further review of the security video from Plush Lounge lead to the new charges.
According to court records, in the video, Moss could be seen approaching the victim, Melvin Hooker III. Moss allegedly had a pistol drawn as he was walking towards the victim.
Spivey then approached Moss who also had a pistol drawn at his side just before shots began to be fired. Court records said there was a brief interaction or conversation between the two men before they began shooting.
According to the probable cause statement, Spivey was seen walking toward the direction of Hooker and began shooting at him. Video footage then shows Moss "shooting at or in the direction of MH as well."
"It should be noted, after suspect KS (Spivey) began running away and after the victim, MH (Hooker), fell to the ground, Samuel continued firing in the direction of the victim, MH. Samuel and suspect KS were both shooting at the victim and acting together," according to court documents.
According to the documents, Moss was seen returning to Plush Lounge 30 minutes after the shooting, after he "completely changed clothes," and was observed, "on video smiling and interacting with fellow Plush Lounge security guards, to include suspect SG (Steven Wayne Grimes) who was also involved in the shooting."
Boone County Prosecutor Roger Johnson said in cases like this, where there are multiple suspects can be difficult to try, he said it's common to see charges increased or dropped as more information becomes available.
"You have to look individually at what that person is doing, what their roles in the case is," said Johnson. "You have to make a charging decision based on what that individual did."
Johnson said surveillance video along with cooperation from witnesses can be a major help in any case, as well as help build back trust between the judicial system and the community.
"Video allows for the jury to essentially see for themselves what happened," Johnson said. "It takes credibility out of the equation."
"Now more than ever, people are suspicious or skeptical of the criminal process and question all people who are involved in it, and so it's very critical for us to have corroborating evidence, and video is tremendous evidence," Johnson said.
Johnson said the prosecutor's office has been working with law enforcement to focus on violent crimes.
"We've been working closely with local law enforcement agencies on violent crime trying to be more involved early in the process, and in the investigation to assist in any way that we can," Johnson said. "We're really making a priority for violent crimes, identifying the people that are repeat offends and focusing our resources and efforts on those individuals."
Spivey is also being held in the jail without bond. A confined docket hearing is scheduled for 1 p.m. Thursday, while a preliminary hearing is set for 9 a.m. Tuesday, May 30. Spivey appeared in court Monday for another case, where he's charged with second-degree domestic assault and third-degree assault.
Simpson is not listed on the Boone County Jail roster. A warrant was ordered last week and no bond is set.
