93.9 The Eagle – The News and Talk of Columbia, MO
Witness issues have delayed a Columbia murder trial that was scheduled to begin next week at the Boone County Courthouse.
18-year-old Iseah Jackson is charged with two counts of second degree murder for the July 2020 deaths of two people near Volunteer drive and Grace lane. Court documents indicate the killings happened after fireworks went astray and landed near a neighboring home that Jackson was at.
38-year-old Tara Knedler and an 11-year-old girl were killed in the shooting.
Boone County assistant prosecutor Spencer Smith says the prosecution has been unable to subpoena multiple essential witnesses to move forward with the case, adding that they need more time to get that done. Smith also tells 939 the Eagle that in shooting cases, it’s common for witnesses to be reluctant to come forward and testify.
The Columbia Police Department’s probable cause statement indicates Jackson and at least one man from the home where the fireworks were shot from fired shots during the incident. The other man is quoted in court documents as saying Jackson fired first. Jackson is quoted by police as saying he didn’t remember who fired the first shot, but that he did fire his gun.
