New charges: Springfield coach raped, sodomized Hailey Owens

(The following news release from the Greene County Prosecuting Attorney's office, reveals new charges against Pleasant View Middle School Coach Craig Michael Wood in connection with the Feb. 18 kidnapping, rape, and murder of 10-year-old Hailey Owens.)

– Greene County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Patterson announces that on Monday, April 21, 2014, he filed a motion to amend the felony complaint against Craig Michael Wood, 46, of Springfield, MO to add a charge of rape in the first degree and a charge of sodomy in the first degree. Attached to this release is a copy of the Motion to Amend, the Amended Felony Complaint and the Supplemental Probable Cause statement.


Mr. Patterson cautions that the charges contained in the amended felony complaint are merely allegations and that the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.

 The Missouri Supreme Court ethics rules prohibit comments on the facts or investigation of this case beyond those contained in the felony complaint and probable cause statement that are part of the public record.

This case is being prosecuted by Prosecuting Attorney Dan Patterson and Chief Assistant Todd Myers. It is being investigated by the Springfield Police Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation. Springfield Detective Neal McAmis is the lead investigator assigned to the case.

AMENDED FELONY COMPLAINT 

COUNT I 
(Missouri Charge Code: 10021099.0)

 The Prosecuting Attorney of the County of Greene, State of Missouri, charges that the
defendant, in violation of Section 565.020, RSMo, committed the class A felony of murder in the
first degree punishable upon conviction under Section 565.020, RSMo, in that on or about
February 18, 2014, in the County of Greene, State of Missouri, the defendant after deliberation,
knowingly caused the death of Hailey Owens.

COUNT II 
(Missouri Charge Code: 31010099.0)

 The Prosecuting Attorney of the County of Greene, State of Missouri, charges that the
defendant, in violation of Section 571.015, RSMo, committed the felony of armed criminal
action, punishable upon conviction under Section 571.015.1, RSMo, in that on or about February
18, 2014, in the County of Greene, State of Missouri, the defendant committed the felony of
murder in the first degree as charged in Count I, all allegations of which are incorporated herein
by reference, and the defendant committed the foregoing felony of murder in the first degree by,
with and through, the knowing use, assistance and aid of a deadly weapon.

COUNT III 
(Missouri Charge Code: 16025099.0)

 The Prosecuting Attorney of the County of Greene, State of Missouri, charges that the
defendant, in violation of Section 565.115, RSMo, committed the class A felony of child
kidnapping, punishable upon conviction under Section 558.011, RSMo, in that on or about
February 18, 2014, in the County of Greene, State of Missouri, the defendant, who was not
related to Hailey Owens, by blood or marriage, knowingly and unlawfully removed Hailey
Owens, a child under the age of fourteen years, from West Lombard Street, Springfield.

COUNT IV 
(Missouri Charge Code: 11017003.0)

 The Prosecuting Attorney of the County of Greene, State of Missouri, charges that the
defendant, in violation of Section 566.030, RSMo, committed the felony of rape in the first
degree, punishable upon conviction under Section 566.030, RSMo, and subject to lifetime
supervision under Section 217.735, RSMo, in that on or about February 18, 2014, in the County
of Greene, State of Missouri, the defendant knowingly had sexual intercourse with Hailey
Owens, a child less than twelve years of age, by the use of forcible compulsion.

 An individual convicted and sentenced for this offense is required to be sentenced to life
imprisonment without eligibility for probation and parole until the defendant has served thirty
years.

COUNT V 
(Missouri Charge Code: 11066014.0)

 The Prosecuting Attorney of the County of Greene, State of Missouri, charges that the
defendant, in violation of Section 566.060, RSMo, committed the felony of sodomy in the first
degree, punishable upon conviction under Section 566.060, RSMo, and subject to lifetime
supervision under Section 217.735, RSMo, in that on or about February 18, 2014, in the County
of Greene, State of Missouri, the defendant for the purpose of arousing or gratifying the sexual
desire of Defendant had deviate sexual intercourse with Hailey Owens, a child less than twelve
years of age, by penetrating her anus with his penis, by the use of forcible compulsion.

 An individual convicted and sentenced for this offense is required to be sentenced to life
imprisonment without eligibility for probation and parole until the defendant has served thirty
years.

***

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