1991 Cole County murder case goes through another round of dismissal, demand for reinstatement

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A murder case surrounding a murder case dating back to 1991 has gone through another round of dismissal and a demand for reinstatement from the Attorney General’s office.

Judge Emily Fretwell had dismissed charges against William “Chris” Niemet on Aug. 11 and again was ordered to vacate that order on Thursday.

The same situation occurred last month, with Fretwell using the same reasoning that the AG’s office did not have proper authority to handle the case. Fretwell was ordered to respond and set an arraignment by Sept. 4, court filings show.

Niemet, of Fulton, is accused of killing Greg Jones in April 1991 in Russellville. Jones was 14. Niemet also would have been 14 at the time. Niemet was charged in 2020 with first-degree murder. The trial has been delayed multiple times.

Fretwell was assigned to the case in May after a request for a change in judge was filed.