Appeals court rejects new trial for Joplin man who murdered his daughter

A Joplin man who shot and killed his daughter January 9, 2022 after she threw a bottle at him during an argument will not receive a new trial.

The Missouri Southern District Court of Appeals today rejected Todd Alan Mayes' claim that a police officer who testified against him should not have been allowed to show how Mayes used the gun. 

During his trial, Mayes claimed he was acting self-defense.

Mayes showed how he held the gun during a taped interview with the police. His lawyer objected when the police officer was allowed to demonstrate since the jury had already seen the video. The judge allowed the demonstration.

Mayes was initially charged with first degree murder, but the jury eventually convicted him on second degree murder and armed criminal action charges.