The Joplin Globe, Joplin, MO

Rowan Ford Case

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January 22, 2008

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.





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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.

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