Moberly murder trial comes to abrupt halt at defense’s request

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The bench trial of a Moverly man accused of killing a woman on his property wrapped up early Thursday afternoon after the defence requested a recess to adjust its strategy.

Following the lunch recess, the Heyde defence made opening statements. They indicated that they planned to call witnesses to testify that Scott was the primary aggressor, to show that Heyde acted in self-defence.

However, the prosecution and the judge ruled that the dynamic had already been established during the state's presentation of evidence, rendering the defence's planned witnesses unnecessary.

In response, the defence requested an early recess for the remainder of the day. The defence noted that they need additional time to confer and determine whether Heyde will take the stand to testify in his own defence.

The state argued against the delay, noting that the defence had previously stated it was fully prepared to proceed at the beginning of the trial on Thursday.

The judge granted the defendant's request, pausing the proceedings for the afternoon. The trial is scheduled to reconvene on Friday at 9 a.m.

A neighbor of a Moberly man accused of gunning down a woman on his property told a judge Thursday that the murder suspect had threatened to shoot her in the past.

A bench trial got underway in Randolph County on Thursday for David Kip Heyde, who is accused of shooting a woman dead on his property last July. Heyde was charged last year with second-degree murder in the shooting death of Bailey Scott.

Alexandria Hardy testified that she heard an argument between Heyde and Scott on the day of the shooting, including Heyde yelling at Scott to get out of his yard.

When asked whether Heyde had been violent in the past, she said yes, adding that Heyde had "threatened to shoot me and my dog if I don't keep off his lawn."

Court documents state that Moberly police were sent to a shots-fired call in the 900 block of East Logan Street on July 6, 2025. During his interview with authorities, Heyde allegedly claimed the shooting was an act of self-defense.

Scott was found with a gunshot wound in her right torso.

Heyde told police he fired two shots at Scott, court documents say. He claimed self-defense, saying Scott hit him during an argument after she alleged he was “attempting to kill birds at the front of his property,” according to the probable cause statement.

The documents state that Heyde claimed Scott hit him during an argument after she alleged he was "attempting to kill birds at the front of his property," court documents say. Scott's body showed no obvious signs of trauma or injury to her hands, according to the probable cause statement.

Charles Peele, the Randolph County coroner, was called to conduct a death investigation. Peele testified Thursday that he approached the body alongside law enforcement and found wounds on the right side of the rib cage.

Peele said Scott was in a sitting position on the porch, with her chest hunched forward. He also said he was present for the autopsy.

Trooper Derek Powell, a 30-year veteran with the Missouri State Highway Patrol, testified that he was called to investigate because Heyde was a former Moberly Police officer.

Powell testified that Heyde admitted to shooting Scott, stating he did so because he feared for his life.

The trial was expected to resume after a lunch break.

Check back for updates to this developing story.