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.