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Yearly Archives: 2020
Kayla Fowler Found Guilty of Tampering 1st Degree and Resisting Arrest
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: TIMOTHY J. MCDONALD
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney
(417) 581-7915
DATE: July 16, 2020
RE: Kayla Fowler Found Guilty of Tampering 1st Degree and Resisting Arrest
OZARK, MO – Christian County Prosecuting Attorney Amy J. Fite announced today that KAYLA FOWLER formerly of Stockton, Missouri was found guilty on July 15, 2020 following a jury trial of tampering in the first degree and resisting arrest. The Honorable Laura Johnson presided over the jury trial that commenced on July 13, 2020. The defendant was charged with and tried on four counts – count I – tampering in the 1st degree, count II – possession of controlled substance (methamphetamine), count III resisting arrest, and count IV possession of controlled substance (marijuana). At the conclusion of the jury trial and following deliberation, the jury returned verdicts finding the defendant guilty of tampering in the first degree, a class D felony, and resisting arrest, a class E felony and finding the defendant not guilty of the two counts of possession of controlled substances.
The evidence offered during the jury trial included that on January 8, 2020, FOWLER fled in a stolen vehicle from officers attempting to stop the defendant, who at the time was a suspect in a theft in Republic, Mo. The defendant led multiple law enforcement agencies on a pursuit from Greene County to Christian County. In attempting to evade officers, the defendant operated the vehicle at a high rate of speed, drove into oncoming traffic, passed vehicles, and almost struck a marked patrol vehicle. To protect the lives and safety of the public, law enforcement ultimately employed the Tactical Vehicle Intervention (TVI) or “pit maneuver” to disable the vehicle and bring the chase to an end. The evidence included that the black Ford F250 operated by defendant had been stolen in Kansas City earlier in the year. The owner of the vehicle testified he had not given the defendant permission to operate his vehicle.
Further, the State had charged the defendant as a prior and persistent felony offender. In a hearing conducted without the jury being present, the Court found the defendant to be a prior and persistent felony offender.
Sentencing is set for September 11, 2020. The range of punishment for the class D felony tampering in the first degree as a prior and persistent felony offender is 3 – 10 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections and/or a fine up to $10,000. The range of punishment for the class E felony of resisting arrest as a prior and persistent felony offender is 1 day to 1 year in the Christian County Jail or two years to seven years in the Missouri Department of Corrections and/or a fine up to $10,000.
This case was investigated by the Christian County Sheriff Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, Tim McDonald. Mr. McDonald was assisted by Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Scottie Bowden, Victim Advocate Julie Harlan and Legal Assistant Kara Wishin.
CHRISTIAN COUNTY PROSECUTING ATTORNEY’S STOP GRANT AWARD
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: JANETTE BLEAU
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney
(417) 581-7915
DATE: March 6, 2020
RE: STOP GRANT AWARD
OZARK, MO – Christian County Prosecuting Attorney Amy J. Fite announced today the Christian County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has been awarded a STOP Grant. This grant is a two-year grant that will allow for an additional assistant prosecuting attorney and a victim advocate for the domestic violence caseload. At the end of the grant cycle, the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office will apply for renewal of the grant. The current caseload has 419 open cases.
Gino McKinnie Found Guilty of Robbery, Assault First Degree and Armed Criminal Action
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: TIMOTHY J. MCDONALD
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney
(417) 581-7915
DATE: February 24, 2020
RE: Gino McKinnie Found Guilty of Robbery, Assault First Degree and Armed Criminal Action
OZARK, MO – Christian County Prosecuting Attorney Amy J. Fite announced today that GINO MCKINNIE of Ozark, Missouri was found guilty on February 20, 2020, by the Honorable Judge Jennifer Growcock following a bench trial heard on December 2, 2019. The defendant was found guilty of all counts charged – one count of robbery in the first degree (class A felony), two counts of assault first in the first degree (class B felony) and three counts of armed criminal action (unclassified felony).
On November 23, 2016, the defendant entered unlawfully into an apartment at 2447 W. Petrus Circle, Ozark Missouri, where two victims were sleeping. Once inside he hid downstairs until a third victim came home. The defendant, wearing black gloves and a hooded sweatshirt with the hood pulled around his face, pointed a revolver at this victim and demanded money before striking the victim in the head with the pistol. The defendant then forced the three victims into an upstairs bedroom where he spun the cylinder on the revolver, pointed the gun at one of the victims and pulled the trigger. The defendant left the apartment after taking approximately $150 in cash.
Detective Anthony Appleton interviewed the victims and they identified the defendant as having committed the robbery. He was arrested later that day. During a search of the defendant’s residence and vehicle Detective Appleton found black rubber gloves and a hooded sweatshirt that matched those used during the robbery. Cell phone records established that the defendant’s cell phone was in the area of the apartment at the time of the robbery.
Sentencing is set for June 4, 2020. The range of punishment for robbery in the first degree is a term of incarceration of 10-30 years or life in the Missouri Department of Corrections. The range of punishment for the class B felony of assault in the first degree is a term of incarceration of 5-15 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections. The range of punishment for armed criminal action is a term of incarceration of at least three years in the Missouri Department of Corrections.
This case was investigated by the Ozark Police Department with Detective Appleton leading the investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, Tim McDonald.