New attorneys to be provided for accused Rowan Ford killers

New public defenders will be brought in for the two men accused of the rape and murder of nine-year-old Rowan Ford of Stella now that Barry County Prosecuting Attorney Johnnie Cox has announced he will seek the death penalty.

David Wesley Spears, 25, Stella, Rowan Ford's stepfather, and his friend, Chris Collings, 32, Wheaton, are charged with first degree murder, forcible rape, and statutory rape:

Because the state will pursue the death penalty, both Spears and Collings will be appointed new public defenders. Spears' current public defender, Michael King, declined to comment Tuesday and said the case hadn't yet been reassigned.

Ford disappeared from her home in the Newton County village of Stella while her mother was working a night shift. An intensive weeklong search ended when her body was found in a cave about 10 miles south in neighboring McDonald County.

Both Spears and Collings have confessed to rape and murder, according to prosecutors and court filings.