Jefferson City man sentenced to life in prison for woman’s stabbing death

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Jefferson City man who was found guilty of stabbing the mother of his child to death has been sentenced to life in prison.

Sergio Sayles, 39, was found guilty last month in a bench trial for first-degree murder, armed criminal action and tampering with evidence in the death of Jasmine King. He was sentenced on Monday to life in prison without parole. He is currently being held at the Cole County Jail.

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 in previous reporting.

King had previously reported harassment and stalking by Sayles, including a complaint in 2021 where she alleged that Sayles threatened to shoot her.

Cole County Prosecutor Locke Thompson told ABC 17 News in a text message that Sayles claimed he was framed on Monday during a closed court session.