Prosecutors to Seek Death Penalty against Rowan Ford Murder Suspects

Tools

Prosecutors to Seek Death Penalty against Rowan Ford Murder Suspects

By Brad Belote

Story Created: May 6, 2008

Story Updated: May 6, 2008

CASSVILLE, Mo. (AP) - Prosecutors will seek the death penalty for two men charged in the rape and murder of a 9-year-old
southwest Missouri girl.

Barry County prosecutor Johnnie Cox filed notice with the court Monday that he plans to seek the death penalty for David Spears and Chris Collings. Spears was Rowan Ford's stepfather, and Collings
was his friend.

Both men have pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder, forcible rape and statutory rape.

Rowan disappeared from her home in the small town of Stella in November. Her body was found days later in a cave.

Prosecutors say both men have confessed to the crime, but authorities are trying to reconcile discrepancies between their
accounts.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Add a comment

Name:

Comment: 500 Characters Left

Comments are moderated and will not appear on this story until after they have been reviewed and deemed appropriate for posting.

KSPR News and its affiliated companies are not responsible for the content of comments posted or for anything arising out of use of the above comments or other interaction among the users. We reserve the right to screen, refuse to post, remove or edit user-generated content at any time and for any or no reason in our absolute and sole discretion without prior notice, although we have no duty to do so or to monitor any Public Forum.
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.

On Demand

More On Demand