Death penalty no longer on the table for Jefferson City man charged with first-degree murder
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The death penalty is no longer an option in the case of a Jefferson City man accused of stabbing the mother of his child to death.
Sergio Sayles was charged in 2023 with first-degree murder, armed criminal action, tampering with evidence, misdemeanor second-degree stalking and misdemeanor second-degree harassment. The venue for the trial was moved to Pulaski County in September 2024.
Court filings say the case will be moved back to Cole County and Sayles will be brought back to the Cole County Jail. A bench trial is set for 9 a.m. Monday, Nov. 3.
Prosecutors originally sought after the death penalty in the case, but Sayles on Thursday waived his right to a jury trial in exchange for the state to drop its pursuit of the death penalty.
Sayles is accused of killing Jasmine King. Police found King dead from stab wounds to her head, face, neck, torso and back in her home in the 300 block of West Ashley Street in April 2023, according to a probable cause statement.
