Judge denies woman’s request to waive jury trial in murder case

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Webster County judge has denied a Benton County woman's request to waive her right to a jury trial in a Benton County murder case.

Kourtney Aumen is charged with first-degree murder, child abuse, child endangerment and assault of 4-year-old Jessica Mast in December 2020.

Aumen waived her right to a jury trial on Sept. 23. Judge M. Brandon Baker did not accept this order, according to an order filed Wednesday.

The judge wrote in his order that he was not accepting the waiver due to the seriousness of the charges against Aumen.

Aumen was one of four people arrested in connection with the girl's death. Jessica's parents, James and Mary Mast, have entered guilty pleas but have not been sentenced, according to online records.

Ethan Mast pleaded guilty in 2022 to second-degree murder and assault. His defense team blamed Aumen for leading the abuse, claiming she wanted to keep a "demon" from possessing the girl.

A pre-trial conference hearing is set for Thursday for Aumen. Her jury trial is scheduled to start on October 26 and last five days.