By Derek Spellman

dspellman@joplinglobe.com

CASSVILLE, Mo. — The two men charged with the rape and murder of a 9-year-old Stella girl last year have requested changes of venue, according to court records.

Michael King, a Carthage-based public defender representing David Spears, 25, said he requested a change of venue last week because of the “extreme publicity” generated by the case. Spears is charged in Barry County with first-degree murder, forcible rape and statutory rape in connection with the death of his stepdaughter, Rowan Ford.

The motion calls for the case to be tried in a different county or for jurors from outside Barry County to be imported to hear the case, King said.

Chris Collings, 32, of Wheaton, faces the same three charges. Collings’ attorney, Clate Baker, a public defender from Monett, also has requested a change of venue for his client.

Both men were bound over to Barry County Circuit Court for trial after waiving their preliminary hearings within the past two months. Bond amounts have not been set for either man, King said.

Investigators believe Rowan was abducted early Nov. 3 from her home in Stella in Newton County, murdered in Barry County, and her body disposed of in McDonald County. The body was found in a sinkhole after a nearly weeklong search by authorities and volunteers.

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

Colleen Spears, David Spears’ wife and Rowan’s mother, filed for divorce on Nov. 27 in Newton County Circuit Court. The divorce petition was granted Jan. 14 by Judge Gregory Stremel, and Colleen Spears’ name was changed back to Colleen Grace Munson under the ruling.

Up next

David Spears and Chris Collings have hearings set for March 18. Spears’ hearing is to begin at 10 a.m., Collings’ hearing at 1 p.m.