Collings Appeals Death Penalty in Rowan Ford Murder
By: KOLR10 News
Updated: July 27, 2012
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- A man found guilty earlier this summer with the 2007 murder of 9-year old Rowan Ford, is appealing his death penalty.
Christopher Collings was found guilty in March by a jury in Rolla, Missouri, where the case had been moved on a change of venue. The same jury, chosen in Platte County, recommended the death penalty. A judge formally sentenced him May 11.
Monday, July 23, attorneys for Collings filed a Notice of Appeal of the death penalty with the Missouri Supreme Court. Under Missouri law, such appeals are automatic in capital punishment cases.
Online court records do not show a hearing date set yet for the appeal.
Collings was accused of the 2007 kidnapping, rape and murder of Rowan Ford, (right) 9, of Stella. Ford's body was found in a cave in McDonald County two weeks after she disappeared.
Rowan's stepfather, David Spears, is also charged in her murder. His trial is scheduled to begin October 30 with jury selection in Clay County. Testimony is set to start November 5 in Waynesville on a change of venue.
Previous coverage:
Christopher Collings Sentenced to Death for Rowan Ford Murder
Chris Collings Guilty of 1st Degree Murder
Christopher Collings was found guilty in March by a jury in Rolla, Missouri, where the case had been moved on a change of venue. The same jury, chosen in Platte County, recommended the death penalty. A judge formally sentenced him May 11.
Monday, July 23, attorneys for Collings filed a Notice of Appeal of the death penalty with the Missouri Supreme Court. Under Missouri law, such appeals are automatic in capital punishment cases.
Online court records do not show a hearing date set yet for the appeal.
Collings was accused of the 2007 kidnapping, rape and murder of Rowan Ford, (right) 9, of Stella. Ford's body was found in a cave in McDonald County two weeks after she disappeared.
Rowan's stepfather, David Spears, is also charged in her murder. His trial is scheduled to begin October 30 with jury selection in Clay County. Testimony is set to start November 5 in Waynesville on a change of venue.
Previous coverage:
Christopher Collings Sentenced to Death for Rowan Ford Murder
Chris Collings Guilty of 1st Degree Murder
