Authorities in Missouri allege that a 46-year-old man was responsible for killing a woman with whom he had a history. Police found her body while doing a welfare check at her home in Nixa. According to a witness, the man confessed to shooting the woman, and there is also evidence that the woman was strangled.
The man was taken into custody after he arrived at the woman’s home while police were there. He was charged with first-degree murder as well as armed criminal action, and he decided to plead not guilty to both criminal charges while being arraigned on July 22. There was no mention as to what prompted the welfare check or if the defendant and the victim were in a relationship at the time of her death.
Individuals who are charged with violent crimes may spend time in prison or face other consequences if convicted on those charges. In some cases, an individual may lose a job or custody of a child simply for being charged with a crime. A criminal defense attorney may be able to help a defendant obtain the best possible outcome in a case. This may allow a person to avoid jail time, find a new job or regain custody of a child. Legal counsel might take several steps to help a defendant during the legal process.
For instance, a motion could be made to suppress evidence or have a charge dropped before going to trial. A lack of evidence may make it difficult or impossible to prove that a defendant committed the crime or crimes that he or she is charged with. Ultimately, it could result in some or all charges being reduced or dropped entirely. It may also improve a defendant’s chances of being acquitted by a jury.
