|
|
Published November 14, 2008 10:08 pm - A couple accused of conspiring to burn down their house near Carthage for insurance gain have been bound over for trial on arson charges.
Couple bound over in arson case
By Jeff Lehr
jlehr@joplinglobe.com
A couple accused of conspiring to burn down their house near Carthage for insurance gain have been bound over for trial on arson charges.
Dean Dankelson, Jasper County prosecutor, said the charge of second-degree arson that Robert E. Baker, 26, and Stephanie A. Eckenroth, 22, are facing was determined to be the correct charge in a review of statutes by his office following a preliminary hearing Thursday. Associate Judge Richard Copeland consequently ordered the couple bound over for trial on the charge and set Nov. 24 as the date for their first appearance in a trial division of the court.
The judge had asked Dankelson’s office to review the matter when defense attorney Brian Glades questioned the appropriateness of the arson charge at the hearing.
Glades’ point was that state law specifically states that someone commits second-degree arson when they start a fire or explosion. The testimony of a state Fire Marshal’s investigator at the hearing was that the couple had admitted that they planned the fire with Baker’s father, but the father had been the one who’d actually set fire to the home at 2084 W. Mound St. on May 25, 2007.
Dankelson said Friday that accomplice liability applies to state law for all criminal offenses and makes second-degree arson the appropriate charge in the case.
According to the testimony of the state fire investigator, Robert Baker collected more than $50,000 on an insurance claim following the fire. Arson was not suspected until an unidentified informant came forward to the Carthage Fire Department almost seven months later.
An arson charge against Baker’s father, Gary L. Baker, of Kansas City, was dismissed due to a lack of evidence. Dankelson said that his son’s and Eckenroth’s alleged confessions cannot be used in court against Gary Baker because they are hearsay unless the couple were willing to testify against him.
•
Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.
|
|
Announcements



: Special Offer For New Subscribers
:


 |
|
BODY TECHNICIAN
Carthage AUTO PLAZA is looking for a body technician/painter. I-Car certification is required. Come by and fill out an a...>MORE
CMA
cma with insulin certification. Whispering Pines, (417)781-0099....>MORE
CLASS A OVER THE ROAD DRIVERS
CLASS A OVER THE ROAD DRIVERS for team operations. Kansas City based, home weekly, all drop and hook. $.46/mile to the t...>MORE
DRIVER LONG HAUL
Driver, long haul or regional, for small Joplin company, home weekly, good pay and benefits, must have 3 years verifiabl...>MORE
OWNER OPERATORS
with equipment for truck and trailer, drive in or reefer. 624-2755...>MORE
See all ads |
|
1993 120FL FREIGHTLINER
1993 120FL Freightliner, day cab, 572,541 miles, twin screw, 60 series Detroit, 9 speed Fuller, air ride and 2000 step d...>MORE
DODGE 1997 DAKOTA
dodge, 1997 Dakota extended, automatic, cruise, air, nice, $3650 firm. 434-7382...>MORE
MERCUR 2001 GRAND MARQUIS LS
mercury, 2001 Grand Marquis LS, 69,500 miles, $6800/offer. (417)214-3265....>MORE
FORD, 1993 TAURUS
ford, 1993 Taurus, cruise, tilt, air, nice, $1250. (417)434-7382....>MORE
OLDSMOBILE 2004 ALERO
OLDSMOBILE, 2004 Alero, 2 door, 72,000 miles great condition $5200 417-529-1657...>MORE
PONTIAC 2001 GRAND AM GT
pontiac, 2001 Grand Am GT Coupe, 2 door, black, automatic, 4 shift bucket seats, moonroof, $3650. (417)434-5503....>MORE
CHRYSLER, 2001 TOWN
and Country Limited, excellent condition, power everything. $1000 below book, $3925. (417)623-2212 ...>MORE
LAND ROVER 2003 DISCOVERY
LAND ROVER, 2003 Discovery, 51,000 miles, all wheel drive, leather, heated seats all power new tires $9,500/best offer ...>MORE
FORD 2004 TAURUS
FORD, 2004 Taurus SES, V6, automatic, air, 56,000 miles, nice, $4800. 626-2277....>MORE
CHEVROLET 2002 EXTENDED CAB
CHEVROLET, 2002 Extended cab, lots of options, work truck, $5900 (417)483-1386....>MORE
See all ads |
|
Deerfield Estates
in Carl Junction, prime building sites, reduced $10,000 each. 417-825-0052...>MORE
ATTRACTIVE 4 BR ORONOGO
attractive, comfortable 4 br, 3 ba, 2-level, 2600 sq. ft. home. Greystone Subdivision, $194,900. 103 Jason Blvd., Oronog...>MORE
OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY 1-5 P.M.
OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY 1-5 p.m. New construction, 3 BR, 2 BA, 3 car garage, newer neighborhood, mature trees, 3 minutes from...>MORE
3BR, ALBA
3 BR, 1 ba, 1 car gar, large fenced yard, Alba $550+ deposit. Hud ok 417-540-4674...>MORE
525 E 41ST FOR SALE AT AUCTION
525 E. 41ST, Joplin, MO will be offered for sale at Auction Saturday, December 5th 9:30 AM AAA Auctions Bob 417-...>MORE
See all ads |
|
YORKIES AKC
Yorkie, AKC, 2 adorable males, 3 1/2 months, current shots. 620-762-0445...>MORE
KENMORE GAS RANGE
Kenmore gas range; G.E. portable dishwasher, $150 each; both are 3 years old (417)624-4546, (417)439-9740...>MORE
BULLDOGS-ADULT
Bulldogs- ADULT 4 female, 1 male, adult English Bulldog; 6 females adult French Bulldogs; ages 1-4; Cream/Brindle. 417-...>MORE
CLOSE OUT PRICES
close OUT prices on beads, jewelry, and Longaberger products. Bring this ad for 10% off beads and jewelry. Saturday, Nov...>MORE
BUY NOW,
small down, rest with tax return, vet checked/shots, small Chihuahua’s. (417)439-3647...>MORE
COCKER SPANIEL PUPPIES
COCKER SPANIEL Puppies For SALE. Registered with shots, Buff Color. Call for Information (620)-856-1946...>MORE
12 GUN CABINET
12 GUN CABINET, 10 gun cabinet, new 10” miter saw; new 12” drill press. (417)359-5819....>MORE
SIBERIAN HUSKY
Siberian Husky - female, 2 years old; Husky mix - female, 2 years old. Both spayed, housebroken, and vaccinated. Very en...>MORE
PLASTIC LIGHT UP YARD
plastic light up yard decorations for all holidays! 620-362-3020 leave message....>MORE
BOXER PUPPIES
BOXERS PUPPIES, registered, parents on site, $200. 918)257-4153....>MORE
See all ads |
|
 |
|