Trial date to be reset in Welty murder case

Friday, November 7, 2008

Dexter Daily Statesman

CLAYTON, Mo. (AP) -- The first-degree murder trial of a 15-year-old southeast Missouri boy is postponed.

Owen Welty of Bloomfield was set to be tried Monday in St. Louis County on a change of venue. But Circuit Judge John Ross' office says Thursday that the prosecutor and defense attorney are seeking a new trial date.

Welty is charged with killing 64-year-old neighbor Don McCollough in November 2006 at his farm east of Bloomfield. Welty was 13 at the time. He is being held at the St. Louis County jail.

He will be tried as an adult, and faces life in prison if convicted.

Experts have said Welty is schizophrenic and suffers from a depressive disorder with psychotic features. He would be among the youngest people ever tried as an adult in a Missouri murder case.

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Can't they just get on with this,and get it over with already.An adult or a child psychotic person doesnt make any difference he still has a right to a speedy trail.The courts seem to take for ever to get anything done now days.These families need to get through this and on with what is left of thier lives.This has devistated both families I am sure.This happened in 2006.Mr McCollough didnt get 2 years to see what was next.They need to send this child some place to get the help he needs,schizophrenia is treatable but not cureable.

-- Posted by angelbots2003 on Fri, Nov 7, 2008, at 2:37 PM

I wish this would just be over with. I am confused though....IF this boy really IS psychotic will he not go to an institution for the criminally insane instead of prison? I'm curious about what will actually happen.

-- Posted by mizzou_mom on Fri, Nov 7, 2008, at 2:38 PM

it needs to be over and done with! i knew don and he didn't deserve what he got but in this screwed up world we live in and stoddard co. is as crooked as they come. they are more worried about the one who does the shooting than the poor guy who lost his life for nothing. the condition of this kid is more proof that his parents as well as other parents are not taking care of their kids as they should and should be charged with neglect

-- Posted by ain't miss behavin on Sat, Nov 8, 2008, at 7:52 PM