Woman who killed Joplin couple in collision while high on meth files another appeal

Rita Glasgow, only four years into her 23-year sentence for killing Terry and Rhonda Copple in a January 4, 2021 collision at 28th and Connecticut when she was high on methamphetamine, has filed yet another appeal of her sentence.

Glasgow's most recent appeal was rejected May 29 by Jasper County Circuit Court Judge Joseph Hensley and Glasgow, acting as her own attorney, appealed that decision today to the Southern District Court of Appeals.

In the appeal that was rejected May 29, Glasgow claimed that she received ineffective counsel from her attorney Craig Lowe because he didn't put on any evidence during her sentencing hearing that could convince the judge to reduce her sentence.

From Hensley's May 29 decision:

In support of her claim, Movant called Craig Lowe who testified that he did not retain a psychiatrist or a psychologist to perform a “mitigation evaluation” because he did not think it would have changed the outcome of the sentence. 

He further testified that in his experience, the more testimony the defendant put on at sentencing, the more evidence the State would have presented, and he was trying to limit the amount of evidence presented by the State which he knew would be detrimental to his client. 

This Court finds the testimony of Mr. Lowe to be credible and reasonable. 

In further support of her claim, Movant called Lisa Witcher, a licensed psychologist, who at the request of Movant’s counsel met with Movant on June 6, 2024, and December 19, 2024, while Movant was in the custody of the Missouri Department of Corrections. 

Dr. Witcher reviewed Movant’s past medical records and records of the Department of Corrections and testified that Movant was born to a drug addicted mother, struggled with drug addiction all her life, was abandoned by her mother, abused by her mother’s boyfriend, placed in foster care, and that she suffered from depression, PTSD, and various substance abuse disorders. 

Dr. Witcher further testified that since being placed in the Department of Corrections, Movant was ready to receive much needed treatment and therapy for past trauma. 

The Court found Dr. Witcher’s testimony to be credible. However, the Court does not believe that her testimony, had it been presented at sentencing, would have changed the sentence executed by the trial court. 

While Movant clearly suffers from drug addiction and mental health issues, these conditions do not mitigate the terrible damage caused by her decision to drive while intoxicated. The record reflects that Movant previously absconded from treatment, and a warrant was outstanding for her arrest when she made the decision to drive while intoxicated on methamphetamine and benzodiazepines. 

The record reflects that she was traveling in excess of the speed limit when she ran a stop sign and  broadsided a vehicle killing Terry and Rhonda Copple. 

The record also reflects that Movant had three prior felony convictions for possession of a controlled substance and a prior felony conviction for stealing. 

Given her record and the facts of the underlying case resulting in the death of two innocent victims, this Court does not believe the testimony of Dr. Witcher would have resulted in a lesser sentence. 

The Court further finds that Mr. Lowe acted reasonably when he decided that this additional evidence would not have changed the outcome of the sentence, and that any attempt to present evidence to mitigate the sentence would only have resulted in the State presenting additional evidence of the devastating loss suffered by the family and the community.

Accordingly, this Court finds that Movant failed to sustain her burden of proof on the allegations set forth in subparagraph 8(a) of her Amended Motion, and this claim is DENIED.