Murder trial of Webb City man accused of killing Joplin woman, dumping body in mine shaft set for September 25

The trial of Todd Gteathouse, 55, Webb City, who is charged with first degree murder in connection with the May 29, 2016 death of Anita Dunn, 61, Joplin, is scheduled to begin Monday, September 25, before Judge Gayle Crane in Jasper County Circuit Court.

During a motions hearing August 28, Crane ruled that Greathouse could wear civilian clothing to the trial and took a motion under advisement that would allow Greathouse to attend the trial without shock devices.

The case against Greathouse is spelled out in the probable cause statement from Cpl. Luke Stahl of the Joplin Police Department:

Greathouse drove from his residence (1715 Prairie Flower Road, Webb City, 64875) to the victim, Willana "Anita" Dunn's residence (1101 S. Jackson Ave.). Greathouse and Dunn got into an argument and during the argument Greathouse strangled Dunn until she lost consciousness.

He then used a cord from a lamp and strangled Dunn until he was sure she was deceased. After Dunn was deceased, Greathouse carried her to his 1998 Volkwagen Beetle (Missouri License Plate SN0A9U) and placed her in the trunk.

Greathouse drove Dunn's body to the area of 1745 Pump Lane, Joplin, Jasper County, Missouri, 64801. Greathouse used wire and weed eater cord and tied Dunn to a rock; he then dropped Dun's body into an abandoned mine shaft filled with water.

Dunn's body was located in a flooded mineshaft in the area of 1745 Pump Lane. Dunn was tied to a large rock by wire and weed eater line.

Todd Greathouse did commit the crime of Murder in the First Degree by knowingly causing the death of Willana Dunn after deliberation upon the matter.