WATCH: Mizzou football players take questions after practice
Matthew Sanders
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Mizzou Tiger football players took questions from reporters after another day of fall camp on Tuesday.
Watch their answers in the media player.
Cole County salary study to address salaries for full-time employees
Haley Swaino
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)
The Cole County Commission signed a contract Tuesday to study the salaries of the county’s more than 350 full-time employees.
The $52,500 contract with Condrey and Associates, a human resources firm based in Georgia, will review only full-time positions, with a focus on correcting existing salary compression. Salary compression happens when pay increases for new hires, but doesn’t go up at the same rate for veteran employees.
Commission documents say the study will analyze the existing salary structure and recommend changes based on market pay rates. The focus will be making sure those salaries are competitive.
The county sought a contractor with a minimum of five years professional experience in conducting salary studies for local governments. They also required the firm to have completed at least 10 studies before signing with Cole County.
The last classification and pay plan study in the county was done by the Archer Company in 2006.
The county has approved almost $87 million for salaries. A 2.2% cost-of-living raise plus $500 was approved for salaries within the budget for the 2025 fiscal year.
The study will also seek to understand specific concerns of county employees and officials.
The study will include the assessor’s office employees. Cole County Assessor Christopher Estes told ABC 17 News that salaries at his office are not competitive.
“Almost without exception, you’re going to find that the salaries in the assessor’s office are anywhere from $2,000 to $9,000 less [than jobs with similar descriptions in Cole County],” Estes said.
Estes said troubles began when Missouri’s appraisal commission raised education requirements in 2008.
“They changed it to require that you had a four-year college degree before you could enter the program to become an appraiser, which is just crazy,” Estes said. “You don’t have to have a four-year degree. But the appraisal commission made that change.”
Estes said he now has to make his employees go through even more training.
“So if you go to college for four years, you get out of college and you want to get work for me, I’m going to have to send you through another four years of training to become an appraiser,” Estes said. “And you’re probably going to make about $40,000. Not a very good salary.”
He said he has brought these concerns to the commissioners.
“I’ve gone to the county commissioners and said, ‘Hey, we need to pay my people more,'” Estes said. “And they did a large raise in ’20, I think ’23 and ’24. And both times we got less than everybody else did. The last adjustment that was made for the rest of the county was well over what we got. So all of the people in my office that have comparable jobs … in another office, my accounting clerks and things like that, where the jobs are very similar, their salaries are well below what the other offices are.”
Estes hopes the study will correct the wage gaps his office faces. He said these issues continue to make retention and hiring difficult.
“I’m hoping that the employees in the assessor’s office are treated with the respect and dignity that they deserve and to receive the salaries that are competitive with the other county offices in Cole County, because that’s who they should be competitive with,” Estes said.
Condrey and Associates is required to schedule an initial meeting with the county to discuss how it plans to perform the study. An orientation is scheduled for Sept. 16.
Assault charges filed in Stephens Park standoff
Olivia Hayes
COLUMBIA, Mo.
Charges have been filed against the man involved in an hours-long standoff at Stephens Lake Park on Monday.
Tre’Shon Terrell Smith, of Columbia, is charged with third-degree assault of a special victim, fourth-degree assault, first- and second-degree property damage and resisting arrest. Two of the charges are felonies.
The probable cause statement says multiple calls came in reporting a man was in the park with a knife and alcohol Monday afternoon. A drone unit with the Columbia Police Department saw multiple injuries on the man and saw him with a knife.
Probable cause statementDownload
The Columbia Police Department urged the public to avoid Stephens Lake Park during the response.
“Please avoid Stephens Lake Park! Columbia Police are currently responding to an active incident. We’re asking the public to avoid the area while the incident unfolds,” CPD wrote in a social media post.
A CPD spokesman said police were sent to the park at about 2:20 p.m. for a call of a suicidal person. The man had a knife and had threatened “suicide by cop.”
Court documents say Smith was trying to harm himself and destroy property at Stephens Lake Park. Officers used a stun gun to take him into custody. The documents say he also destroyed several picnic tables at the park.
An ABC 17 News reporter saw police on scene Monday putting Smith in handcuffs just before 7 p.m.
Officer Benjamin Ludwig wrote in the probable cause statement that he was responsible for taking Smith to University Hospital’s psychiatric center.
Smith allegedly damaged Ludwig’s police car during the drive by kicking it and causing more than $750 in damage. Ludwig said Smith also threatened to locate and harm him, Officer Matthew Kempfer and Kempfer’s family.
Ludwig also said he observed Smith make statements to multiple officers about how he would locate them and their families on social media and how he wished to sexually assault their partners.
Smith allegedly attacked Kempfer and hospital employees while being taken to receive treatment at University Hospital. Documents say he cut Kempfer and bit a hospital employee.
Smith remained at the University of Missouri Psychiatric Center on Tuesday morning. A judge set bond at $10,000. The state sought a $25,000 bond, citing the extension resources used in taking Smith into custody and the aggression he showed to first responders. The bond memo also says he tried to escape custody multiple times.
Rent, medical costs drive year-over-year inflation
Matthew Sanders
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Increases in rent and medical costs drove Midwest inflation in July compared to the year before, but prices for food and energy fell for the month, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Year-over-year inflation in the Midwest, including Missouri, was up 2.6% in July, the bureau stated in a news release Tuesday. That increase was driven largely by a 5.1% increase in home ownership costs, a 3.6% increase in medical costs and a 5% increase in rent.
Those increases were balanced by falling food and energy prices that pegged inflation at just 0.2% compared to June. Natural gas and gasoline prices decreased, while electricity prices were up in July, according to the release.
Food prices were down 0.2% compared to June. Grocery prices fell 0.5% while food consumed away from home increased 0.3%.
Energy and food prices were all higher compared to last year, with natural gas prices rising 14.6% during that time.
The Midwest numbers were similar to those reported nationally, with prices up 0.2% compared to June and 2.7% compared to the year before.
Columbia/Boone County Crimestoppers accepts leads in unsolved homicide cases
Meghan Drakas
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The Columbia/Boone County chapter of Crimestoppers typically offers rewards in cases involving warrants and drugs. However, the organization has a role in helping solve the city’s unsolved homicides, too.
Crimestoppers board president and former Boone County Sheriff’s Office deputy John Fields said the local chapter was founded in 1980. Fields estimates the local chapter’s work has helped lead to over 250 arrests.
The organization helps law enforcement by providing money for information leading to felony arrests.
Fields said that most of the tips Crimestoppers receives concerns warrants and drug cases, but there’s a large push for information on unsolved homicides. He estimates the organization has helped solve one or two homicides over the years.
“It’s unfortunate that not too many people give information on homicides, and that’s what we want,” Fields said. “We’re actively working with some other victims of homicides right now … we know that through working with the mothers of some of these victims of homicides that there were witnesses. And we would love for these witnesses to come forward and give these mothers some closure.”
According to the Columbia Police Department, 16 unsolved homicide cases with 18 victims dating back to 1985 remain unsolved. Those cases include Edmond ‘Ricky’ Randolph Jr., who was killed on June 25, 2016, on Leeway Drive in northeast Columbia.
Authorities investigate the homicide of Edmond ‘Ricky’ Randolph Jr. on June 25, 2016, on Leeway Drive in Columbia, Mo.
Police say the 25-year-old was shot to death inside an apartment. No arrests have been made in the case.
Columbia Police say Crimestoppers is a great tool, but in a homicide case, police say it’s helpful if witnesses contact police directly.
“Crimestoppers is a great tool for remaining anonymous,” CPD Lt. Matt Gremore said. “There’s a time and a place for that in an unsolved homicide investigation. What I really need to have is for someone to come forward to the police department that has that information firsthand. They can start with Crimestoppers to provide that.”
Fields said that throughout the years, Crimestoppers has received several tips on this case. Gremore said the last tip Crimestoppers received on the Randolph case was in 2021.
Edmond ‘Ricky’ Randolph Jr., date unknown (Credit: Nicole Craig)
More than a year after Randolph’s murder, Columbia/Boone County Crimestoppers amended its policy to accept personal donations in addition to the standard reward money. This was changed due to an anonymous individual wishing to donate $5,000 for any tip leading to the arrest of Randolph’s killer.
“This happened right before I started with Crimestoppers, but I don’t think we had too many tips,” Fields said. “We didn’t get anybody to come forward.”
Since 2017, Fields said, the reward for Randolph’s case has dropped back down to the standard number — $2,500.
Fields said the organization is funded through private donations.
“Our model is, if you see something, say something because we know you know something, just get paid for what you know,” Fields said.
Fields said tipsters are never asked for their name or phone number, but are assigned a number. Individuals are encouraged to call back at a later time with their number to see if their tip led to an arrest, and they can collect a reward.
“There’s a lot of people that call in information, but unfortunately, a lot of them don’t call back to get the reward,” Fields said. “So we’ve had several cases that people have called in to give us information on, that have led to an arrest.”
Watch the latest “Mid-Missouri’s Cold Case Files: The Case of Edmond ‘Ricky’ Randolph Jr.” at 10 p.m. Thursday on ABC 17 News.
Boone County judge hears arguments in first court hearing for Riley Strain lawsuit
Marie Moyer
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Several people could get dropped from the lawsuit filed by the family of former University of Missouri student Riley Strain at a court hearing Tuesday.
Strain’s family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Delta Chi fraternity in March, claiming the fraternity did not follow safety protocols during a March 2024 fraternity “formal” event in Nashville that led to Strain’s death. The lawsuit also claimed Strain’s fraternity brothers did not accompany him back to the hotel when he was kicked out of a bar and didn’t check on him until later.
Jacob Lewis, the family’s attorney, argued that both the national Delta Chi organization and Strain’s fraternity brothers were obligated to both monitor the event and help Strain.
“This was a foreseeable act, particularly for a fraternity that is well aware of the consequences of alcohol, Lewis said. “If you put somebody in a position that they now need help because of your actions, you have taken upon yourself a duty.”
Lewis added that Delta Chi has several training and safety videos as well as an online member portal, so the organization would be able to stay in touch with fraternity activities.
“They regularly communicate with people through social media apps they have, though the portal that they have, they can exert an area of control that would not have been possible even 30 or 40 years ago,” Lewis said.
The defense argued that the fraternity was not responsible for Strain’s actions, adding that it’s unreasonable to expect the organization to closely monitor the events of more than 100 local fraternities across the nation.
“The allegations don’t involve forced alcohol consumption, there’s no allegations that Mr. Strain had a bottle of vodka taped to his hand, but this was free and voluntary intoxication by someone who could legally purchase and consume his own alcohol,” defense attorney Clayton Tompson said. “National organizations do not have sufficient resources to monitor activities and protocols.”
Since its filing, numerous defendants have requested that Devine remove them from the lawsuit. Attorneys agreed on dismissing nine fraternity members earlier this month.
Some attorneys during Tuesday’s hearing argued that the suit was filed in the wrong state, arguing that the core events of Strain’s death happened across state lines.
“We’re going to be dealing with the EMS, police officers, investigators,” said Robert Wulff, who is the defense attorney for one of the fraternity members. “Any witnesses that may come forward in future discussions, all of that is going to be taking place in Tennessee.”
Lewis argued Missouri is the correct state to hold the trial since the event was planned and alcohol was bought at the Delta Chi house. This includes Jell-O shots that were allegedly made, along with transportation being organized to bus members from the home to Nashville.
“Riley Strain was offered and did consume jello shots, he did those things, we claim, the entire trip across Missouri,” Lewis said.
Strain went missing on March 8, 2024, after being kicked out of Luke’s Bridge 32 bar on Broadway and 3rd Avenue just before 10 p.m. Police found his body in the Cumberland River on March 22, 2024. Strain’s death was ruled a drowning, with a toxicology report also finding alcohol and other substances in his system.
Boone County Judge Joshua Devine did not make any decisions Tuesday, adding that there was “a lot to consider.”
Devine did grant the defense attorneys a week to file additional suggestions for their motions, which are due on Tuesday, Aug. 19.
Cellphone location testimony will not be part of Jefferson City murder trial
Jazsmin Halliburton
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
A Jefferson City Police Department detective will not be allowed to testify at a murder trial about what the suspect’s cellphone said about his whereabouts the day of the crime.
The defense for Sergio Sayles, 39, has filed the motion to exclude the detective’s testimony. A hearing was held on Tuesday morning.
Sayles was charged in 2023 with first-degree murder, armed criminal action, tampering with evidence, misdemeanor second-degree stalking and misdemeanor second-degree harassment. Sayles is accused of killing Jasmine King in April 2023. Police found King dead from stab wounds to her head, face, neck, torso and back in her home in the 300 block of West Ashley Street in Jefferson City.
Prosecutors originally sought the death penalty, but in April, Sayles waived his right to a jury trial in exchange for the state dropping the death penalty.
According to online court records, Sayles’ defense lawyer filed multiple motions in that same month:
Motion to suppress statements Sayles made during interrogations after he requested an attorney.
Motion to exclude cellphone testimony.
Motion to dismiss the indictment against Sayles based on prosecutorial misconduct during grand jury proceedings.
Motion to dismiss and for other sanctions for destroying Sayles’ car.
Motion for disclosure of plea agreement and/or inducements to prosecution witnesses.
The exclusion of cellphone testimony was sustained; the state will call another witness to replace what was previously going to be a Jefferson City Police Department detective’s testimony regarding cell location.
Arguments for the other motions were ongoing Tuesday morning.
A bench trial is set for 9 a.m. Nov. 3 in the Boone County Courthouse in front of Judge Brouck Jacobs.
QUESTION OF THE DAY: Do you support activating the National Guard to fight crime in D.C.?
Matthew Sanders
President Donald Trump on Monday pledged to clean up crime in the nation’s capital, announcing the federal takeover of Washington, D.C., police and the activation of the National Guard.
Trump said one of the first moves will be to clear homeless encampments.
Critics pointed out lower violent crime numbers in official statistics and said the president’s actions were not necessary.
Do you support activating the National Guard in D.C.? Let us know by voting in the poll.
Sedalia man charged after leading law enforcement on high-speed chase
Ryan Shiner
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
A Sedalia man was charged in Pettis County with a pair of felonies and a misdemeanor after he led law enforcement on a chase on Saturday.
Gunner Saulbeamer was charged with aggravated fleeing, first-degree assault and misdemeanor fourth-degree assault. He is being held at the Pettis County Jail on a $25,000 bond. An arraignment was held on Monday and he appeared by video from the jail. A counsel status hearing was scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 26.
On Saturday, a Sedalia police officer saw a green Kia Soul drive not stop for a stop sign, the officer turned on his sirens and a chase ensued throughout the city, the probable cause statement says. The chase exceeded 90 miles per hour near West Main Street, Grand Avenue and Kentucky Avenue, the statement says.
Spike strips were used and popped one of the tires on the vehicle, by the chase continued. The statement says deputies picked up the chase around near Yeater Road and the Kia crashed into a dirt mound near Oak Grove Lane. Saulbeamer ran away from the vehicle, but was quickly caught, the statement indicates. He then spit on an officer after he was arrested, court documents say.
Man accused of ramming Jeep into police cars after refusing to show proof of insurance
Ryan Shiner
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
A Jefferson City man was charged with two felonies and a misdemeanor after an exchange while he was pulled over turned into him getting pepper sprayed.
Patrick Allen, 26, was charged with resisting arrest, armed criminal action and misdemeanor obstructing government operations. He is being held at the Cole County Jail without bond.
The probable cause statement says Allen told police he would not show up for court. An arraignment was held on Monday and Allen appeared by video from the jail, where he pleaded not guilty. A counsel status hearing is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Friday.
The statement says at 4 a.m. Sunday, a police officer saw a red Jeep heading south onto Jackson Street with no front-mounted license plate. The officer tried to see the back plate, but was not able to tell if there was a license plate, court documents say.
Allen pulled the Jeep over on High Street and the officer turned right onto McCarty Street to see if Allen would move the Jeep once his vehicle was out of sight, the statement says. The officer wrote that he did this because he thought the behavior was “suspicious.”
The Jeep left again and the officer started a traffic stop because he could not see a plate, the statement says. The officer wrote the plate appeared to be a fake Illinois temp tag, court documents say.
The officer allegedly told Allen that he stopped him because he wasn’t able to see his plates and thought his driving was “evasive,” the statement says.
Allen allegedly said “no way,” denied to give the officer his proof of insurance when asked, demanded to see a supervisor and rolled up his window, court documents say.
More officers arrived and Allen still refused to get him an ID or proof of insurance, the statement says. The situation escalated to the point where police broke the Jeep’s driver side window and used pepper spray, the statement says.
Allen then backed into the first officer’s patrol vehicle before ramming into a second vehicle, where the officer’s supervisor was seated, the statement says. Three officers suffered minor injuries, court documents say.
Allen then tried to get away and almost hit two more officers, the statement says. He was eventually arrested after he got out of the vehicle, the statement says.