Category: Missouri

Judge Denies Missouri Prosecutor Request to Halt Execution

O’FALLON, Mo.—A Missouri man who killed a police officer still faces execution later this month after a judge denied a special prosecutor’s request to halt the death sentence. Kevin Johnson is scheduled to die by injection on Nov. 29. The 37-year-old killed Kirkwood, Missouri, Police Officer William McEntee in 2005. Last month, St. Louis Circuit…


Missouri Town Must Pay $600 Attorney Fees for Banning Resident From City Hall

Phelps County Circuit Judge John Beger ruled that the city of Edgar Springs, Missouri, violated the Sunshine Law by barring residents’ constitutional right to access city hall for four years, without a chance to appeal the decision. According to the ruling, the Phelps County city must pay plaintiff Rebecca Varney a fine of $600 plus legal…


Man Stayed by Wife’s Side in Missouri House Fire; Both Died

NEW MELLE, Mo.—An elderly Missouri couple died in a fire when a man refused to leave his wife as their home burned and the floor that was their escape route collapsed, fire officials said. Kenneth and Phyllis Zerr, both 84, died in the fire Thursday at their home in New Melle, Missouri, about 37 miles…


Eric Schmitt Wins Race for US Senate Seat Representing Missouri

Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt on Nov. 8 won the race for a U.S. Senate seat representing Missouri, according to a race call. The Associated Press called the race for Schmitt as he opened up a large lead over Democrat Trudy Busch Valentine. “We did it. Thank you Missouri!” Schmitt said in a statement. Schmitt,…


Missouri Couple Charged in Death of Pregnant Woman, Baby

SPRINGFIELD, Mo.—A pregnant Arkansas woman who thought she was going to a job interview was instead killed in Missouri by a woman who wanted to claim her baby, federal authorities said Friday. The baby was also found dead. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Missouri said Amber Waterman and Jamie Waterman, both 42, of Pineville, Missouri,…


‘Bounced up Like It Hit a Bump’: Train Derails at Missouri Amusement Park

A Missouri amusement park has reported that a steam train derailed on Wednesday night, injuring six guests and one employee. A passenger and guest of the park said the carriage “bounced” before tipping. “Silver Dollar City confirms that earlier this evening, sections of the Frisco Silver Dollar Line Steam Train derailed from the track,” the…


1 Construction Worker Dies in Bridge Collapse in Missouri

KEARNEY, Mo.—One construction worker died and two others were injured Wednesday when a bridge under construction in northwest Missouri collapsed, officials said. Workers were pouring concrete for the deck of the bridge when it fell, Clay County officials said. The bridge, which was replacing an older bridge, spanned Carroll Creek in a rural area near…


One Construction Worker Dies in Bridge Collapse in Missouri

KEARNEY, Mo.—One construction worker died and two others were injured Wednesday when a bridge under construction in northwest Missouri collapsed, officials said. Workers were pouring concrete for the deck of the bridge when it fell, Clay County officials said. The bridge, which was replacing an older bridge, spanned Carroll Creek in a rural area near…


Woman Won’t Be Charged in Shooting Death of Missouri Firefighter, Prosecutors Say

A Missouri woman who shot and killed an off-duty firefighter in Kansas City earlier this month will not be criminally charged because of the state’s self-defense and defense of others law, prosecutors announced. In an Oct. 24 press release, the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office said they won’t pursue a second-degree murder charge against the woman,…


Judge Rejects Challenge to Biden Administration’s Student Debt Relief Program

A federal judge on Oct. 20 rejected a legal challenge to the Biden administration’s student debt relief program. Missouri and five other states that sued the government over the program do not have standing, U.S. District Judge Henry Edward Autrey, a George W. Bush appointee, ruled. The complaint centered in part on the alleged harms that the…