Attorney General's News Release

July 6, 2011

Attorney General Koster announces Putnam County man convicted of burglary, assault

Jefferson City, Mo. – Attorney General Chris Koster said today a Putnam County jury has convicted James “Randall” Schnelle, 63, of first-degree burglary and first-degree assault. He was found not guilty on a forcible rape charge.

Koster said Schnelle, of Unionville, was accused of breaking into a female acquaintance’s house during the early morning hours and striking her several times in the face, head, and neck, causing serious head injuries and swelling of the brain.

Putnam County Circuit Judge Peace ordered that Schnelle be held on $250,000 cash bond. Schnelle will be sentenced on August 24. As a prior and persistent offender, he faces up to life in prison on each count.

Koster said Assistant Attorneys General Tim Anderson and David Hansen served as special prosecutors in the case.