Murder
trial for Williams
underway
in Platte County
by Ivan
Foley
Landmark editor
A murder trial is underway in Platte County Circuit Court
this week.
On trial is Jimmy Williams, 48, who has pled not guilty
to charges of murder and armed criminal action. His is
the first of three scheduled trials related to the December
shooting death of Thadd Mize, 28, of Kansas City North.
At the end of the day Tuesday, the jury had been seated
and the prosecution had already called 11 witnesses to
the stand. Platte County Prosecutor Tammy Glick Tuesday
night said she had seven more witnesses to call to the
stand on Wednesday.
"I think it's going pretty well," she said,
adding that the trial seems to be moving along more quickly
than had been anticipated.
She said the defense had indicated its case could take
three to four hours of court time. The case could be in
the hands of the jury late Wednesday or on Thursday, she
said.
Williams' wife, Brenda Williams, 47, is also charged
with murder and armed criminal action. Her trial is scheduled
for Jan. 13.
Chrysta Mize, 28, the daughter of Jimmy and Brenda Williams,
is also charged in the case. She is charged with conspiring
to murder Thadd Mize, her ex-husband. Prosecutors say
she tried to collect on a fraudulent insurance policy.
Her trial is set for Dec. 2.
Prosecutors allege that on Dec. 12, Thadd Mize was driving
alone on a darkened Northland street, talking to his girlfriend
on his cell phone. He told his girlfriend someone driving
a minivan was following him. He said it was the Williamses.
Moments later, the girlfriend heard popping noises, and
Mize told her he had been shot.
Prosecutors say Jimmy Williams fired the gun and Brenda
Williams was driving the minivan.
It is expected the trial will last a week. A request
by the defense to have the jury sequestered has been denied.
|
