SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Circuit Judge Dan Conklin announced Thursday that accused killer Craig Michael Wood will appear before a jury from Platte County, Mo., located on the north side of Kansas City.
The suspect’s attorney, Pat Berrigan says news coverage of the trial would prevent a fair trial with a jury from Greene County. The defense attorney asked for the trial to begin in April 2016 – Prosecuting Attorney Dan Patterson wants that trial to start next year in April.
Wood is accused of killing and sexually assaulting 10-year-old Hailey Owens on February 18. He is charged with first-degree murder, rape, and kidnapping. Patterson says he will seek the death penalty if Wood is found guilty of first-degree murder.