subscribesubscriber servicescontact usabout ussite map
Sat, Jul 05 2008 

Published January 22, 2008 10:01 pm - CASSVILLE, Mo. — The two men charged with the rape and murder of a 9-year-old Stella girl pleaded innocent Tuesday, and one is seeking a change of venue, according to online court records.

Two plead innocent in girl’s murder



From staff reports

news@joplinglobe.com

CASSVILLE, Mo. — The two men charged with the rape and murder of a 9-year-old Stella girl pleaded innocent Tuesday, and one is seeking a change of venue, according to online court records.

David W. Spears, 27, and Chris Collings, 32, are charged in Barry County with first-degree murder, forcible rape and statutory rape for the alleged abduction, sexual assault and murder of Rowan Ford in November. Collings on Tuesday filed a request for a change of venue.

Both men have waived their preliminary hearings and have been bound over to Barry County Circuit Court for trial.

Authorities still are trying to reconcile discrepancies between the two defendants’ accounts of the events leading to the girl’s death. Both Spears and Collings reportedly have confessed to the rape and murder. Spears was Rowan’s stepfather.

Barry County Prosecutor Johnnie Cox has said the trials of the two men should help determine exactly who did what. He also noted that authorities are awaiting the results of lab tests on some physical evidence. Those results will help determine whether authorities will seek the death penalty, Cox has said.

Investigators believe Rowan was abducted early Nov. 3 from her home in Stella in Newton County, raped and murdered in Barry County, and her body disposed of in McDonald County.

The body was found in a sinkhole near Powell after a nearly weeklong search that involved the Newton County Sheriff’s Department, the McDonald County Sheriff’s Department, the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the FBI.

Spears and Collings remain in custody at the Barry County Jail.

Next up

The next hearing for David W. Spears has been set for 10 a.m. March 18. Chris Collings’ next hearing is scheduled for 1 p.m. the same day.



print this story    email this story    comment on this story   

Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.


Add a comment on this story





monster
wheels
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Get Our Free Pod Cast!

In Sundays Print Edition Only!

32 buy 1 get 1 free offers


Find a job! Find a Home! Find a car!
Featured Jobs

BOOKKEEPER
BOOKKEEPER, Payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable experience required. Medical billing or insurance experienced...>MORE

MILE+MONEY+HOMETIME
Equals a unique hiring event
TLocal small company
T2700 to 3300 miles per week Lots of home time
...>MORE

HEAVY EQUIPMENT HAULER
heavy Equipment Hauler, Class A CDL, 2 years experience, some travel required, competitive pay. (417)627-9334. ...>MORE

24 HOUR COMPANIONS.
for seniors in their homes. Work 2-4 days/week as well as overnight. CNA experience helpful, but not necessary. Compass...>MORE

LOT PERSON
LOT PERSON. Must be able to detail cars and use a buffer. All around clean up. Come to 2429 East 7th, Joplin....>MORE

ELECTRICAL ENGINEER/DESINGNER
Electrical
ENGINEER/DESIGNER
You can read all about this exciting position on our website.
Excellent b
...>MORE

OPENING FOR SATELLITE INSTALLER
with home theater background, excellent pay with full benefits. Apply at Wireless Connections, 1431 S. Range Line Road, ...>MORE

STORE MANAGERS WANTED
movie Gallery Now Hiring Store Managers in Joplin area. Competitive pay. Great benefits package. Fax resume and cover le...>MORE

CENSUS IS GROWING!
Now hiring qualified CMA’s. Will train the right person. Apply in person at 2030 Zora Avenue, Joplin. ...>MORE

HOME WEEKLY
Over the road truck driver position. Minimum 3 years experience. Must have mechanical knowledge. Good mileage rate, drop...>MORE

See all ads

Featured Transportation

DODGE 1995 DAKOTA
dodge, 1995 Dakota Sport Extended Cab, V6, 4 wheel drive, cold air, automatic, tilt, cruise, nice truck, $2350. 434-7382...>MORE

JEEP, 2004 LIBERTY SPORT
4X4, 61,000 miles, keyless entry, alarm, sunroof, alloy wheels, CD, $11,500 or best offer. Please call (417)673-2835. ...>MORE

FORD 2006 LARIAT SUPER
ford, 2006 Lariat Super F350, 4X2, diesel dully, 15,000 miles, like new crew cab, lots of extras, $27,500. 417-782-5536 ...>MORE

BUICK 1997 PARK AVENUE
Buick, 1997 Park Avenue, by original owner, 65,000 miles, full size luxury at 30 plus mpg, $7500/offer. 417-358-0605....>MORE

1972 CHEVROLET 1/2 TON
air, aluminum wheels, asking $3500. 918-533-4752....>MORE

KIA, 2002 SPORTAGE
$3500 or best offer. Call after 6 p.m. (417)624-4386. 540-5284....>MORE

FOR SALE: 1996 COACHMAN CATALINA
Lite 5th wheel, 27 ft long, sleeps 6, $7800, very nice unit, please call for details (417)434-2430 or brian.massey@eagle...>MORE

2000 GMC YUKON
4x4, V8, automatic, loaded, new tires, $5700. (417)499-5246....>MORE

1999 MAZDA
mazda, 1999 B4000, 4X4, SE cab plus 4 door, very good shape, 99,000 miles, $5,000. 417-455-0180....>MORE

NISSAN, 2005 ALTIMA
4 cylinder, 28-30 mpg, 84,000 miles, new tires, silver, $10,995. GREAT DEAL. (417)850-7271...>MORE

See all ads

Featured Homes

BEST BUY!
BY OWNER 219 N. JACKSON. Remodeled 4 BR, 2 BA, 2 Story, large living, formal dining, laminate flooring, new central air,...>MORE

LOG HOME
log Home for sale by owner. 11.66 acres, 3 car garage, barn, 2800 sq. ft. home. 3 br, 3 ba, office, hobby/4th br, firepl...>MORE

GREAT FAMILY HOME
(3221 E. Zora) 4 br, 2 ba, with large fenced yard, $126,000. (417)206-4532....>MORE

3 BR, 2 BA, COLUMBUS, KS
newly remodeled interior, $525/month. (417)629-7352. ...>MORE

GRANBY, NICE OLDER HOME
3/4 acre, 2 br, 1ba, large utility, kitchen, appliances. Possibe owner financing. (417)451-1291...>MORE

WEBB CITY SCHOOLS
3 br, 2 1/2 ba, new construction, great location, near park, Walnut Ridge, $119,000. 417-206-4532. ...>MORE

LOG HOME FOR SALE BY OWNER
log Home for sale by owner. 11.66 acres, 3 car garage, barn, 2800 sq. ft. home. 3 br, 3 ba, office, hobby/4th br, firepl...>MORE

LEASE WITH OPTION TO PURCHASE
Complete renovation in NW Joplin, 4 br, 3 ba including master suite with jacuzzi, new stainless steel appliances and cus...>MORE

See all ads

Other Cool Stuff

124 MPG, 2008 HONDA METRO SCOOTER
red, 49 cc’s, new in June. Easy to ride, must sell-lost job, $2,200 Cash, 624-8988. ...>MORE

ASHLEY
ASHLEY one year blue chaise lounge sectional with trundle bed, $325; gorgeous 6 month Louis Philippe, cherry, queen 4 pi...>MORE

BORDER COLLIE PUPPIES
Registered. $50. 417-850-3896. ...>MORE

TABLE/REFRIGERATOR
Table/4 chairs, $150; refrigerator, $200; both 6 months old, (417)437-7506....>MORE

HOT TUB, 2008 ABSOLUTE BARGAIN
60+ jets, 12 h.p., stereo package, led lighting, therapy seat, full warranty. Cost $9600, must sacrifice $3600 or best o...>MORE

PAPPILON, MALE
pappilon, male, 13 weeks, APRI, small, ears up, shots current, $200. 548-2433....>MORE

MINIATURE SCHNAUZER
puppies, registered, shots, ears cropped. (620)783-2452, (417)439-4280....>MORE

DACHSHUNDS
1 year male and female; male puppy $150 each. (417)673-4559. ...>MORE

CHIHUAHUA PUPPIES
shot hair. Home raised. No checks. (417)438-6922 or email farmchik_1@yahoo.com...>MORE

BEDROOM SET
Boys Twin “Locker-room" Metal Bedroom set. purchased at Bedroom Expressions. 1 year old. 5 piece. must see! $325. 417-65...>MORE

See all ads


 

Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc.CNHI Classified Advertising NetworkCNHI News Service
Associated Press content © 2008. All rights reserved. AP content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Our site is powered by Zope and our Internet Yellow Pages site is powered by PremierGuide.
Some parts of our site may require you to download the Flash Player Plugin.
View our Privacy Policy
Advertiser index

rc
 

 

Find A Home Find A Car Find Anything