FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Amy Fite
Prosecuting Attorney
(417) 581-7915
DATE: September 15, 2020
RE: Kayla Fowler sentenced to ten years in the Missouri Department of Corrections on 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 sentenced on September 11, 2020 after she 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 Honorable Laura Johnson sentenced the defendant on September 11, 2020. A jury unanimously found the defendant guilty of the class D felony of tampering in the first degree and the class E felony of resisting arrest.
The Court had previously found defendant to be a prior and persistent offender. As such the range of punishment for the tampering 1st degree was that of a C felony – three to ten years in the Missouri Department of Corrections and/or a fine not to exceed $10,000. The range of punishment for the resisting arrest was that of a D felony – 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 not to exceed $10,000.
The Honorable Laura Johnson sentenced FOWLER to the maximum prison term of TEN (10) YEARS in the Missouri Department of Corrections on the tampering 1st degree and maximum prison term of SEVEN (7) YEARS in the Missouri Department of Correction on resisting arrest. The sentences to be served concurrently for a total sentence of TEN (10) YEARS in the Missouri Department of Corrections.
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.
This case was investigated by the Christian County Sheriff Office. The case was prosecuted at jury trial 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. Prosecuting Attorney, Amy Fite, handled the sentencing.
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