Jury selection and opening statements heard Tuesday for murder trial in Moniteau County
MONITEAU COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ)
Jury selection and opening statements took place Tuesday for a murder trial in Moniteau County. Thomas Capps was charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action in 2019 for the March 17, 2015, death of Ronald Salmons.
Prosecutors said Capp's shot Salmons outside of a home in Versailles, before allegedly attempting to cover it up by staging a home invasion.
Defense attorneys argue it was a different man who shot Salmon's.
Investigators initially believed a man named Christopher Alex Capps had shot Salmons at a home on Dorsey Lane in Versailles. However, "discrepancies" in the investigation led law enforcement to interview Christopher Capps again.
Christopher Alex Capps then told interrogators Thomas Capps staged a home invasion and "instructed him on what to tell law enforcement."
Family members of Thomas Capps told KMIZ Christopher Capps is Thomas Capps son.
Prosecutors addressed the jury on Tuesday saying Ron Salmon's was having an affair with Thomas Capps wife and that is what allegedly lead Thomas Capps to shoot Ron Salmons.
The prosecution told the jury that throughout the next few days they would hear about the turbulent relationship between Thomas Capps and his son Christopher Alex Capps.
The prosecution addressed the jury saying without a doubt Thomas Capps was the only person responsible for Salmons death.
The defense rebutted saying the only person to admit to law enforcement of shooting Salmons four times was Christopher Alex Capps, and that without a doubt Christopher Capps was the one who shot Salmons.
The trial was transferred from Morgan to Moniteau County following a change of venue request.
On Wednesday the Attorney General Prosecution will state their case and the defense will state their case on Thursday. The judge wants to wrap up jury deliberations by the end of the trial on Thursday.
