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Columbia’s Achterberg murder trial expected to take place next spring

October 11, 2023 By Brian Hauswirth

A Columbia man charged with killing a man and then fleeing to Iowa will go on trial sometime in 2024.

Boone County prosecutors have charged 38-year-old Mark Achterberg with first degree murder and armed criminal action for the November 2021 shooting death of Justin Stidham north of Columbia.

Boone County assistant prosecutor Nick Komoroski and defense attorney Kevin O’Brien have submitted four potential trial dates to Judge Jeff Harris. Those dates are the weeks of April 1, April 8, April 29 and May 6. Judge Harris will schedule the trial, which will take place at the Boone County Courthouse.

Achterberg remains jailed this morning without bond. He was captured by authorities in the Hawkeye state, after the homicide. The court has rejected bond for Achterberg, citing the first degree murder charge, his criminal record dating to 2004 and that Achterberg had to be extradited back to Missouri from Iowa.

Accused Columbia murderer Achterberg in court on Tuesday

May 30, 2023 By Brian Hauswirth

A hearing is set for Tuesday afternoon for a Columbia man charged with murdering a man in 2021 and fleeing to Iowa after the homicide.

A Boone County grand jury indicted 38-year-old Mark Alan Achterberg in January 2022 for first degree murder and armed criminal action for the November 2021 shooting death of Justin Stidham north of Columbia. The indictment replaced charges that were filed earlier, and Achterberg remains jailed without bond.

He has ties to Creston, Iowa, and was captured by authorities in the Hawkeye state after the homicide.

Judge Tracy Gonzalez rejected bond efforts during his first court appearance, citing the murder charge, his record of convictions dating to 2004 and that Achterberg had to be extradited back to Missouri from Iowa.

UPDATE: Menards stealing suspect described as flight risk by court

April 27, 2023 By Brian Hauswirth

The Jefferson City Police Department’s headquarters in downtown Jefferson City (2022 file photo courtesy of Jefferson City Police Chief Eric Wilde)

Two suspects accused of stealing merchandise from numerous Menards stores in Columbia, Jefferson City and several states have been captured in eastern Missouri’s St. Peters.

Jefferson City Police say one of the suspects, 50-year-old Marian Firu, is now charged with one felony count, which is stealing at least $750. He’s jailed this morning without bond, described by the Cole County Court as a danger to the community and a flight risk.

Jefferson City Police say the two suspects allegedly have been involved in thefts from 19 Menards stores in Missouri, Iowa and Nebraska, including stores in Sedalia and St. Joseph. Jefferson City Police say the theft in the Capital City theft involved more than $3,000 in stolen merchandise.

(AUDIO): Missouri sports wagering supporters say bill addresses compulsive gambling

March 24, 2023 By Brian Hauswirth

Missouri House Speaker Dean Plocher (R-Des Peres), left, and State Rep. Dan Houx (R-Warrensburg), second from left, address Capitol reporters in Jefferson City on March 23, 2023 (photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at House Communications)

Bipartisan sports wagering legislation is now heading to the Missouri Senate, after being approved by the House on a 118-35 vote.

The 23-page House Bill 556 taxes sports wagering at ten percent. State Rep. Dan Houx (R-Warrensburg) tells 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri” that the Show-Me State is losing tax dollars to neighboring states.

“But it’s most the residual tax revenue we’re losing out. When people go to Kansas or Illinois or Iowa, wherever they go and they spend money in those other states, that’s (the) revenue we’re really missing out on. Besides the tax revenue of bet placed,” Representative Houx says.

Gambling opponents like State Rep. Cheri Toalson Reisch (R-Hallsville) worry about compulsive gambling. Other opponents worry people will gamble their rent money.

“You know I listen to people like Cheri, I listen to Representative Ben Baker from down south (southwest Missouri’s Neosho) and he was concerned about compulsive gambling. We put $500,000 in there (the bill) to make sure that we’re able to protect people if they have problems. On the mobile apps, it’s a self opt-in or opt-out of being able to do it. Once you opt-out, you’re blocked from that account forever”

Representative Houx, who chairs the Missouri House Fiscal Review Committee, tells “Wake Up” that Chiefs fans from Missouri have traveled to Kansas to place bets on NFL games.

“During the Chiefs-Bengals (playoff) game back in January, around Arrowhead (Stadium) alone, just around the parking lot and inside Arrowhead, there were 4,557 bets attempted to be made during that timeframe. That same day in Kansas, there was 1.14 million bets made. (The) majority of them were around the state line of Kansas”

Under the bill, you would have to be at least 21 years old to place bets. Sports wagering would be taxed at ten percent, and the revenues would be placed in the “Gaming Proceeds for Education Fund.”

The Associated Press reports 33 states and the District of Columbia now offer some form of sports wagering.

Click here to listen to the full “Wake Up Mid-Missouri” interview with State Rep. Dan Houx (R-Warrensburg).

(AUDIO): State Rep. Dan Houx (R-Warrensburg) discusses sports wagering legislation on “Wake Up Mid-Missouri”

March 23, 2023 By Brian Hauswirth

The Missouri House has voted 118-35 to give final approval to bipartisan sports wagering legislation. The bill taxes sports betting at 10 percent and those revenues would fund public education. State Rep. Cheri Toalson Reisch (R-Hallsville) warns about compulsive gambling. The bill sponsor, State Rep. Dan Houx (R-Warrensburg) joined us live on 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri” this morning. Representative Houx says Missourians are traveling to Kansas, Iowa and Illinois to gamble and are spending money there on things like food. He also tells listeners that his bill includes $500,000 to address compulsive gambling. He describes compulsive gambling as a mental illness: