Attorney General's News Release

May 5, 2011

Phelps County man found guilty of murder

Jefferson City, Mo. – Attorney General Chris Koster said today a Phelps County jury has found Eddie Marshall, 50, guilty of 1st degree murder. The case was heard by Howell County Circuit Judge David Evans in the Howell County Circuit Court on a change of venue from Ripley County.

Koster said Marshall sexually assaulted and murdered the victim, his neighbor, when she came over to Marshall’s trailer after Marshall called her, offering bond money to bail her boyfriend out of jail. The victim was found in Marshall’s trailer, partially clothed. Marshall’s DNA was found on the victim’s breasts. The victim died of blunt force trauma to the head, probably by a hammer. Marshall was later caught in Arkansas, which is also where the victim’s missing automobile was found.

Sentencing is set for July 12. The only available punishment is life in prison without the possibility of probation or parole.

The Attorney General’s office assisted the Ripley County Prosecuting Attorney’s office in the prosecution of this case.