Former jailer charged with manslaughter to ask for bench trial
Ryan Shiner
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
A former corrections officer at the Cooper County Jail plans to waive her right to a jury trial, according to court filings from Monday.
Rachel Atherton is charged with first-degree involuntary manslaughter in the death Brooke Bailey. A motion to waive her right to a jury trial was filed on Monday and will be heard at 9 a.m. Monday in Callaway County. The motion means she will seek a bench trial.
Bailey died from untreated diabetes in her cell at the Cooper County Jail. Court documents say several jail workers told investigators with the Pettis County Sheriff’s Office that Pfeiffer brushed off Bailey’s complaints of feeling ill, saying the inmate was “playing games.”
Bailey was found dead in her cell with blood and vomit on the floor and on her clothing. Bailey was being held for a commitment to the Department of Mental Health.
A medical examiner found Bailey died from diabetic ketoacidosis and low sodium levels.
A second jailer, Robyn Pfeiffer, was found guilty by a jury on Feb. 3 of first-degree involuntary manslaughter. Her sentencing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Friday, April 3.