NOTGUILTY MO - Savannah Leckie, 16, found deceased, Theodosia, 18 July 2017 * mom arrested*

[Joy-PSE]

I am sick to my stomach!

Circuit Judge Calvin Holden has found that Theodosia resident Rebecca Ruud is not guilty of first-degree murder, second-degree murder, abuse of a child, and tampering with evidence.

She was found guilty of only one charge, abandonment of a corpse. It is a class E felony with a maximum sentence of four years. Ruud has already served five years in pre-trial custody. It is unclear if she will be given credit for time served.

Sentencing is set for Sept. 15, in Greene County.

Holden took the case under advisement and studied the evidence for 29 days following Ruud’s June 27-30 trial. Ruud and her defense team chose to have a bench trial rather than a jury trial in the case, meaning Holden heard the evidence and deliberated instead of a jury of her peers.

Ruud found not guilty of murder, all other charges except abandonment of a corpse

Circuit Judge Calvin Holden has found that Theodosia resident Rebecca Ruud is not guilty of first-degree murder, second-degree murder, abuse of a child, and tampering with evidence.

ozarkcountytimes.com

@Niner

<modsnip - off topic>

Rebecca Ruud, lived her life the only way she knew from the age of a young child, as a teenager she learned to earn money doing the only things she felt she had abilities to do. The children she conceived and gave up, was her personal choice.

Savannah Lackie, was 16 years old, and had a troubled life <modsnip - implicating a non-POI in the death of SL>

Rebecca Ruud may be guilty of certain things in life, however she is not guilty of Murder.. <modsnip - off topic>

 

[Niner]

‘It should not take more than 50 hours to become firmly convinced of murder’ . . . Judge gives reasoning for decision to find Ruud not guilty of murdering daughter

There was a collective gasp in Ozark County last Friday when it was announced that Circuit Judge Calvin Holden had found Theodosia resident Rebecca Ruud not guilty of murdering her 16-year-old biologi

www.ozarkcountytimes.com

August 4, 2022
There was a collective gasp in Ozark County last Friday when it was announced that Circuit Judge Calvin Holden had found Theodosia resident Rebecca Ruud not guilty of murdering her 16-year-old biological daughter Savannah Leckie in 2017.
[.....]
Ruud is scheduled to return to Greene County court at 9:30 a.m. Sept. 15 for sentencing.

Many are surprised to find that abandonment of a corpse, the charge Ruud was convicted of for burning her daughter’s body, is a class E felony and carries a maximum sentence of 4 years in prison. Ruud has already been in pre-trial custody for 5 years. It’s unclear if she will be given credit for time served and be released from custody at the Sept. 15 hearing or will be forced to serve additional time in prison.
[.....]
Ruud’s co-defendant and husband, Robert Peat Jr., who testified for the state and said during his time on the stand that he wants a divorce, is scheduled to appear in Greene County court at 9:30 a.m. Aug. 29. He was not promised anything in exchange for his testimony and cooperation in the Ruud trial, the prosecution says.

In a 5-page verdict document, Holden attempts to explain why he’s ruled the way he has in the Ruud case.
[.....]
You will have to read this part in keeping with 10% of article.

Holden said he was troubled by two pieces of evidence that he wished could have been made more clear. One thing he’d liked to have seen is the state call a toxicologist to the stand to explain that a person could not have died from the prescription drug in the manner in which the defense argued it to the court. Another piece of evidence he said he’d wished was presented were the bus tickets Ruud and Peat purchased for the Greyhound bus they were attempting to board when they were arrested so the court could tell where they’d planned to go.

 

[Laughing]

Wished?

Wished? Seriously, wished???

Um, jmho, could The Judge have asked for either of those items during the trial, at a point when the victim & taxpayers could have derived benefit from that evidence?

Wonder about the long-term relationship between this judge & the Taney County prosecutor's office?

Shaking my head, again.

jmho ymmv lrr

 

[Niner]

@Jewels53 - looks like Peat was in court on Friday (yesterday) per article below - I had him for 8/29/22. Now the article says he will be back in November. Is there a date on the court site?

Rebecca Ruud's husband still charged with murder after she was found not guilty

Peat's court proceedings have been delayed until November while a replacement is found for retired Judge Calvin Holden.

eu.news-leader.com

August 19, 2022
Robert Peat Jr.'s court case was back on the docket Friday morning, roughly a month after his wife and co-defendant was found not guilty of murder.
[.....]
Peat was also arrested and accused of being involved in Leckie's death. He is facing the same charges Ruud was: first-degree murder, child abuse in the first degree, felony murder, tampering with physical evidence and abandonment of a corpse.

Peat has been out on bond since 2018. He also testified against Ruud during her bench trial. During his testimony, Peat discussed Leckie's state of mind and the last time he had seen her, also testifying that he would like a divorce from Ruud.

Peat's court proceedings have been delayed until November while a replacement is found for Judge Calvin Holden, who presided over Ruud's bench trial and retired at the end of July.

The Missouri Attorney General's Office did not immediately respond to an inquiry about how it will proceed with Peat's case now that Ruud was found not guilty of murder.

 

[Jewels53]

1831-CR03557 - ST V ROBERT PEAT JR

08/19/2022		Pre-trial Conference Scheduled
	Scheduled For: 11/10/2022; 9:00 AM ; CALVIN R HOLDEN; Greene
		Hearing Held
	State by AGA Goodwin. Deft by Atty Hayes. Case reset for PTC on 11/10/22 at 09:00am. BJWB Acting/ces
	Scheduled For: 08/19/2022; 9:30 AM ; CALVIN R HOLDEN; Greene
		Judge/Clerk - Note
	Case moved to Div 6 docket in error. Case to be heard in Div 5 on 08/19/2022 at 9:30am. CRH/laa
08/08/2022		Pre-trial Conference Scheduled
	Associated Entries: 08/19/2022 - Hearing Held
	Scheduled For: 08/19/2022; 9:30 AM ; CALVIN R HOLDEN; Greene
		Hearing Continued/Rescheduled
	On Court's own Motion, matter reset for PTC on 08/19/22 at 09:30am, to be heard in DV 6. eNotice to all parties. BJWB Acting/ces
	Hearing Continued From: 08/19/2022; 9:30 AM Pre-trial Conference
08/05/2022		Judge Assigned
	By Order of the Presiding Judge and Order from the Supreme Court of Missouri En Banc (filed herein), this case is assigned to Senior Judge Calvin R. Holden to hear and dispose of case. Parties notified by eNotice. MJC/laa

	THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2022
	Judge/Commissioner	Time	Day	Setting	Event
	CALVIN R HOLDEN	9:00 AM	1 OF 1		Pre-trial Conference
Event Text:	Location: DIVISION 5 - 3rd Floor Greene
Address: JUDICIAL COURTS FACILITY 1010 N BOONVILLE AVE SPRINGFIELD MO

https://www.courts.mo.gov/casenet/cases/searchDockets.do

@Niner

I thought Judge Holden retired?

 

[Niner]

snipped by me..

I thought Judge Holden retired?

on the 8/5/22 schedule that you posted above - it looks like he was assigned to this case even if he retired. I guess they want him to finish this case since he is so familiar with it.

 

[Jewels53]

@Niner A new date for a Pre Trial Conference.

1831-CR03557 - ST V ROBERT PEAT JR

08/24/2022		Pre-trial Conference Scheduled
	Scheduled For: 09/15/2022; 8:30 AM ; CALVIN R HOLDEN; Greene

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2022
	Judge/Commissioner	Time	Day	Setting	Event
	CALVIN R HOLDEN	8:30 AM	1 OF 1		Pre-trial Conference
Event Text:	Location: DIVISION 5 - 3rd Floor Greene
Address: JUDICIAL COURTS FACILITY 1010 N BOONVILLE AVE SPRINGFIELD MO

https://www.courts.mo.gov/casenet/cases/events.do

 

[Niner]

Thank you @Jewels53 !

 

[Niner]

Thursday, Sept. 15th:
*Pretrial Conference Hearing (@ 8:30am CT) - MO - Savannah Leckie (16) (reported missing July 20, 2017, Theodosia, remains found Aug. 4, 2017 on property) – for *Robert Peat, Jr. (31/now 34) (BF of mom) indicted (7/18/17) & arrested (8/21/17) with 1st & 2nd degree murder, abuse of a child resulting in death, tampering with evidence & abandonment of corpse. Plead not guilty. No bond. 7/6/18 Released on own recognizance.
Trial was to start July 30th, but has been cancelled, next hearing Oct. 16, 2018 re “new” developments in case per DA. July 5, 2018 hearing, Judge Calvin Holden ruled that Peat could be released on his own recognizance “to reside with his family in Ozark County” with GPS monitoring by Court Probationary Services. 5/24/19: GPS monitoring removed, must report twice weekly to probation officer.
Court info from 7/6/18 thru 3/13/20 reference post #722 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...theodosia-18-july-2017-arrests.344222/page-37
3/16/20 Update: Pretrial conference hearing rescheduled on 5/19. 5/19/20 Update: The Tuesday hearing was held to reschedule trials in both cases and for Holden to rule on two motions: one to exclude witness testimony and another to suppress statements made in the course of the investigation. Pretrial conference hearing was continued on 8/17/20. 8/17/20 Update: Hearing has been continued to 8/27/20.
8/27/20 Update: Hearing was held. Next pretrial hearing on 9/4/20. 9/4/20 Update: Next pretrial conference hearing on 12/14/20. 12/4/20 Update: Court cancelled 12/14/20 pretrial hearing rescheduled on 5/18/21 @ 8:30am. 5/13/21 Update: Pretrial hearing cancelled & will be rescheduled.
11/18/21: Proposed Order filed. Proposed order appointing special prosecutor attorney. 11/23/21: Motion granted for appointment of special prosecutor. 8/5/22 Update: Next hearing on 8/29/22. By Order of the presiding Judge & Order from the Supreme Court of Missouri En Banc (filed herein), this case is assigned to Sr. Judge Calvin R. Holden to hear & dispose of case. 8/8/22: Hearing on 8/29/22 a pretrial conference was continued/rescheduled. 8/19/22 Update: State by AGA Goodwin, defendant by attorney Hayes. Case reset for pretrial conference hearing on 11/10/22 @ 9am. 8/31/22 Update: Pretrial conference hearing was reset on 9/15/22.

ALSO:

*Sentencing Hearing (@ 9:30am CT) - MO - Savannah Francis Leckie (16) (reported missing July 20, 2017, Theodosia; remains found Aug. 4, 2017 on property, Ozark County) – *Rebecca M. Ruud (39/now 43), “mother” arrested & charged (8/21/17) & indicted (9/20/17) with 1st & 2nd degree murder, abuse of a child resulting in death, tampering with evidence & abandonment of corpse. Plead not guilty. Denied bond (10/16/18).
Bench Trial began on 6/27/22 (thru 6/29) before 31st Judicial Circuit Judge Calvin Holden in Green County in Springfield. Held beginning at 8:30 a.m. each morning Monday through Wednesday.
Court info from 1/30/18 thru 6/24/22 & Trial days 1-4 (6/27 – 6/30/22) reference post #922 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...theodosia-18-july-2017-arrests.344222/page-47
7/5/22: Claims Filed. Smart witness Claim (total $167) filed by witness. 7/6/22: Order per Judge Holden, witness fees are assessed against defendant filed. Judge Holden will announce his verdict on 7/15/22.
7/15/22 Friday, Trial Day 5: No decision yet. Moved to Monday, 7/18/22. 7/26/22: Entry of appearance & Withdrawal of Counsel; filed by AGA Gregory Goodwin.
7/29/22 Update: Circuit Judge Calvin Holden has found that Ruud is not guilty of 1st degree murder, 2nd degree murder, abuse of a child & tampering with evidence. She was found guilty of only one charge, abandonment of a corpse. It is a class E felony with a maximum sentence of four years. Ruud has already served five years in pretrial custody. It is unclear if she will be given credit for time served. Sentencing is set for 9/15/22, in Greene County.

 

[Niner]

Missouri woman acquitted of killing daughter to be free soon

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) — A Missouri woman who was acquitted in July of killing her teenage daughter but convicted of abandoning the girl's corpse was sentenced Thursday but will be released from prison soon.

apnews.com

Sept. 15, 2022

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) — A Missouri woman who was acquitted in July of killing her teenage daughter but convicted of abandoning the girl’s corpse was sentenced Thursday but will be released from prison soon.

Rebecca Ruud was acquitted in the death of 16-year-old Savannah Leckie, who moved to Ruud’s farm after leaving her adoptive home in Minnesota. Ruud gave the girl up for adoption as a baby.

But Ruud was convicted of abandoning the girl’s corpse, which was found on a burn pile at Ruud’s property on the Arkansas-Missouri border in July 2017.

She was sentenced to four years in prison Thursday and fined $5,000. But she will be given credit for the five years she has been in prison since her arrest, meaning she will be freed after prison officials process her release, the Springfield News-Leader reported.
[.....]
Murder charges against Ruud’s husband, Robert Peat Jr., were dismissed Thursday shortly before Ruud’s sentencing.

 

[Niner]

Here's one on Peat...

Savannah Leckie murder: Ruud walks free after being given credit for time served, charges dropped against Peat

Theodosia resident Rebecca Ruud will walk out of the Greene County Jail a free woman today after being held in pre-trial custody for five years in connection with murder charges involving her teen dau

www.ozarkcountytimes.com

Sept. 15, 2022
[.....]
Robert Peat Jr.’s case dismissed
Ruud’s co-defendant, Robert Peat Jr, was also originally indicted in the case, but as of yesterday, Sept. 14, all charges against him have been dismissed. Peat testified for the state at Ruud’s trial but wasn't promised anything in exchange for the testimony. The charges against him were were dismissed by Assistant Attorney General Gregory Goodwin, who was assigned to prosecute the case after former AAG Anthony Brown left the AG’s office for a new position at a different agency.
Like Ruud, Peat faced first-degree murder, second-degree murder, abuse or neglect of a child resulting in death, tampering with physical evidence in a felony prosecution and abandonment of a corpse.

 

[Niner]

I will have to say - Savannah did NOT get justice....

 

[SeesSeas]

Rebecca Ruud Sentenced for Abandoning 16-Year-Old Daughter's Corpse
Sep 15, 2022
Rebecca Ruud, the Missouri woman acquitted of murdering her 16-year-old daughter Savannah Leckie, was sentenced on Thursday to time served for a count of abandonment of a corpse. Ruud received a four-year prison sentence but got credit for time-served at almost 1,800 days and will likely be released soon.

 

[SeesSeas]

MSN

www.msn.com

KOLR Springfield
September 15, 2022
[...]
Ruud was also given a $5,000 fine.

“I normally don’t…I can’t even remember the last time I imposed a fine,” Judge Holden said Thursday. “There were people that were out there on your farm, day in and day out, trying to find somebody. They volunteered…you let them proceed.”
[...]
Ruud’s defense attorneys said those witnesses weren’t credible, and while they acknowledged that Ruud burned Leckie’s body, they said there was no credible evidence submitted that proved Ruud killed Leckie.

Judge Holden said he agreed. “I didn’t find that she didn’t do it,” Holden said Thursday. “I’m just saying it was not a verdict of innocence. It was a verdict of not enough evidence to find her guilty.”
[...]

 

[kimmo]

Wow. I'm very late on catching up on the news. Savannah was only 16 years old. Not a single person in her life has taken responsibility for her death. She shouldn't be dead. I'm beyond saddened to hear that justice will not be served. She has once again been failed. This is heart wrenching.