Laddonia, MO
Authorities still have not unveiled a motive in a bizarre Audrain County murder case that investigators say involves at least six adult and two juvenile suspects.
Facing first-degree murder, kidnapping and armed criminal action charges are 38-year-old Chester C. Harvey Jr. and his 34-year-old wife, Angela D. Harvey, both of Laddonia, and his son, 19-year-old Chad M. Harvey of Eolia.
Accused of kidnapping are 52-year-old Robert Nicholas Allen and 44-year-old Jackie Don Moss, both of Vandalia, and 45-year-old Darrill Kirtley Lynn of Farber.
Two unidentified juveniles, ages 16 and 14, also have been charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping, felonious restraint and armed criminal action.
Authorities say Chester Harvey admitted to smothering to death 20-year-old James William Boyd McNeely on Dec. 18 in the basement of his house at 312 Young Street in Laddonia and that Allen, Moss and Lynn were involved in holding the victim against his will.
Investigators acting on a tip found McNeelys body Dec. 22 in Vandalia inside a refrigerated trailer leased to Chester Harvey.
Harvey, an over-the-road truck driver, may have picked up McNeely during a run to California. McNeely apparently was staying with the Harveys. The victim grew up in Martin County, Ken., and his most recent address appeared to be Columbus, Ohio.
So far, the only insight been provided in statements Angela Harvey made to a Missouri Highway Patrol investigator.
In a probable cause statement, Harvey said that she, her husband and Lynn talked by telephone conference call two days before the murder and discussed that McNeely needed to be removed from the Harvey residence that night.
Angela Harvey stated the three discussed how McNeely needed to be taken care of so he couldnt come back and harm them, according to the statement. Harvey did not elaborate, but admitted she told her husband how to suffocate McNeely.
Angela Harvey stated she kicked McNeely and pointed a loaded gun at him and threatened him stating, Just give me one reason to shoot you, the statement reads.
Harvey also said in the statement that she told her husband and others how to wrap McNeelys body to minimize evidence.
McNeelys mother, Vernia Bowen of Parkersburg, W.V., has said she believes her son left his wife and son in Ohio last fall to sell drugs.
Bowen said her son had been in trouble before and that his father had served time for murder. McNeely also had drug problems, she said.
An arraignment for Angela Harvey is at 10 a,.m. Wednesday in Audrain County. Her husband and stepson will be in court Jan. 13. Allen has a Jan. 8 court appearance and Moss and Lynn will appear before a judge Jan. 27. All but Lynn were being held Monday.
A juvenile officer earlier said he would ask that the two juveniles be charged as adults in the case. A mandatory juvenile court certification hearing could be held Feb. 4.
