A 53-year-old man has recently been arrested as a suspect in a murder case. The Missouri police believe that the man murdered his friend and his friend’s wife, and the authorities suspect that money was the motive. However, as the man begins to form his criminal defense against the charges, he remains innocent before the court until, and only if, proven guilty.
On May 1, the couple was discovered dead inside their own residence. The coroner determined that the wife died from blunt force trauma, and the husband died from gunshot wounds. While investigating the crime, the authorities formulated a motive, claiming that the friend asked the husband for a large sum of money, and the husband refused.
The authorities also allegedly discovered that the husband enjoyed collecting coins, and the defendant had supposedly recently sold several thousand dollars worth of coins. At the crime scene, a large safe in the garage appeared to have scratches on it, which could indicate that someone tried to force it open. A latex glove at the scene supposedly had the friend’s DNA on it.
The husband’s friend was reportedly an outstanding member of the community, and he had even served as superintendent for the Mountain Grove School District from 2003 to 2005. As the Missouri investigation continues, evidence may be found that the defendant can use to his advantage. For example, just because a glove may place him at the scene — his friend’s home — it does not necessarily mean that the man committed the crimes charged. He will have every opportunity to defend himself against the accusations in his criminal defense.
Source: ozarksfirst.com, “UPDATE: Man Charged for Deaths of Springfield Couple”, Lindsay Clein, Aug. 15, 2014