The fate of 8 is known in Lawrence County 2020 Murder; 1 of 9 remains facing a First Degree Murder trial, all others take deals

JASPER COUNTY, Mo. – The fate of eight is now known of nine people charged in the August 2020 Kidnapping and Murder of Sarah Pasco, 27, of Aurora.

In a change of venue to Jasper County, Siera Dunham, 20, pleaded guilty recently to Kidnapping. She will serve 15 years for her part in the crimes. She also recently pleaded guilty to an unrelated case of stealing from May 2020. She was sentenced five years for that crime. These are unrelated cases, so they run consecutively.

Frank Sheridan, 29, had his case moved to Stone County. Of the 9 originally charged First Degree Murder he was released in January of 2022 on his own recognizance (OR). He agreed to testify against the other defendants. It is anticipated he will receive a Suspended Imposition of Sentence of 15 years.

Steven Calverley, 31, of Republic is the final defendant facing Murder in the First Degree. His case is set for three-week jury trial beginning at 8:00 a.m. on January 16, 2024 in Christian County Court.  He requested to wear civilian clothes during the trial. Calverley still could face the death penalty, however it is according to the severance if found guilty in the first charge of Murder in the First Degree.

2020 MURDER AND KIDNAPPING

Prosecutors have said the nine were a local gang in the Lawrence County area.

The surviving victim says she and Sarah Pasco were thrown into a well. She was hiding under Pasco while Gary Hunter fired into the well, killing Pasco. She says she was shot while inside the well and played dead until they left.

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COURT DOCUMENTS LAY OUT THE CRIMES

Court documents lay out details in the August 2020 southwest Missouri murder involving 9 suspects.

The Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office says the suspects are connected to the shooting death of Sarah C. Pasco, 27, of Aurora and the non-fatal shooting of another woman.

On August 16, 2020 at around 10:14 p.m., the Sheriff’s Office got a call about shots fired. Deputies arrived to the location and found Victim 1 who had been shot multiple times. She was airlifted in critical condition, and later was able to speak with detectives at Mercy Hospital in Springfield.

ORIGINAL BREAKING NEWS 2020 >> Authorities investigate double shooting homicide in Lawrence County)

Deputies say the woman told them her friend had been killed at another location in Lawrence County. After a search, Pasco’s body was found.

The surviving victim and some of the suspects have spoken to investigators about the crime.

Detectives say the incident started at the Pavilion at Mt. Vernon St. and Center S. in Stotts City in Lawrence County, Missouri. They believe that’s where Gary Hunter walked up to a truck driven by Victim 1 and asked if he could get in. Victim 1 allowed him in and once inside, he put a pistol up to Pasco’s head (Victim 2). Hunter allegedly told them to drive to the home of Christina Knapp. Once there, Hunter told Knapp to get his AR/AK type firearm, which she did.

Hunter allegedly ordered both victims out of the truck, but they refused. Court documents state that Pasco argued with Hunter, but after he fired a shot into Victim 1’s truck, they both did as he said and got out of the truck.

Andrew Cypert, who lives on Knapp’s property, came over to where the victims were digging grave holes in Knapp’s yard, according to investigators. Hunter handed the gun to Cypert and went inside to get a .22 to “cap them.”

Court documents state that Victim 1 told detectives that Sierra Dunham was there during the incident. She says Dunham wanted Pasco’s sunglasses, so Hunter took them and gave them to Dunham. Also, as the victims were getting into the trunk of Cypret’s vehicle, Dunham said she wanted the shoes that Pasco had on her feet, but Hunter told her “no” because Pasco was going to need them where they were going. Once the victims were in the trunk, Hunter allegedly took the shoes off Pasco and gave them to Dunham.

During an interview with Cypert, he told detectives that he drove a Toyota Corolla with both victims in the trunk, following Hunter who was in Victim 1’s pickup. Cypert stated that Lyle Delong, Diona Parks and Steven Calverley were in the car with him. They went out to [LOCATION] and stopped. When the trunk opened, Cypert told detectives that Parks got out and had a physical altercation with one of the victims in the trunk.

Hunter got Victim 1 and Pasco out of the trunk. Court documents state that Hunter then told Delong, Parks and Cypert to take the truck and go, which they did.

Cypret claims he got a call from Hunter saying, “I need you to light up the truck or you are really going to screw me.” Cypret relayed the message to Delong and Parks. That’s when Delong started looking for something to put into the gas reservoir of the truck. Cypret says he took his shirt off and gave it to Delong,who then used Parks’ lighter and lit the shirt on fire to burn the truck.

According to Victim 1, she and Pasco were told to get into an abandoned well. She said a man named Gary stated to them, “Where is [GIRL’S NAME]?” Pasco told Gary she didn’t know and he replied, “You can thank [GIRL’S NAME].” Gary then shot Pasco in the head, killing her, according to Victim 1.

Victim 1 says she was hiding under Pasco while Gary was firing into the well, according to court documents. She says she was shot while inside the well and played dead until Gary and the other person left. She also told a detective that while at the well, she remembered seeing Dunham with Pasco’s sunglasses on her head.

Investigators say they also discovered that Kimberly Henderson, Cypret’s mother, was also at [LOCATION] during the incident. Court documents state she picked up some keys from Knapp’s vehicle bumper. When she asked who they belonged to, Victim 1 said they were hers. Henderson then allegedly took the keys and put them in Hunter’s shirt pocket and said, “You’re going to be needing these.”

Frank Sheridan, who was in a relationship with Sierra Dunham, was also allegedly at [LOCATION], bandaging Hunter’s wound that he got earlier in the day.

According to court documents, authorities were told that Sheridan and Dunham both rode in Victim 1’s vehicle to the well where the women were shot.

In an interview with Dunham, she admitted she was there that day. Investigators took her shoes as evidence.

The Dade County Sheriff’s Office arrested three of the suspects and also found the stolen vehicle, which they say had been partially burned.

RELATED SARAH PASCO MURDER >> Two more suspects arrested in Lawrence County murder)

By Thursday evening, Aug. 20, 2020 all 9 suspects were in custody. These reflect original charges in 2020 and suspects ages at that time, now updated with status:

  • PLEADED: Gary W. Hunter, Jr., 23, Mt. Vernon – Murder 1st Degree, Armed Criminal Action, Assault 1st Degree
  • CHARGED: Steven C. Calverley. 29, Republic – Murder 1st Degree, 1st Degree Assault,  Tampering with Evidence
  • PLEADED: Lyle B. Delong – Murder 1st Degree, Armed Criminal Action, Assault 1st Degree
  • PLEADED: Andrew J. Cypret – Murder 1st Degree, Armed Criminal Action, Assault 1st Degree
  • PLEADED: Diona L. Parks – Murder 1st Degree, Armed Criminal Action, Assault 1st Degree
  • RELEASED ON OR BOND: Frank J. Sheridan, 27, Aurora – Murder 1st Degree, Armed Criminal Action, Assault 1st Degree
  • PLEADED: Kimberly K. Henderson, 47, Stotts City – Murder 1st Degree, Armed Criminal Action, Assault 1st Degree
  • PLEADED: Siera Dunham – Murder 1st Degree, Armed Criminal Action, Assault 1st Degree
  • PLEADED: Christina Knapp – Murder 1st Degree, Armed Criminal Action, Assault 1st Degree

This is a developing story, stay with KOAM News Now as we continue to follow this case and determine what will happen to the final defendant. Scroll below and sign up for our news alerts so you don’t miss an article.

 

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Tractor trailer crashes below I-44 to dry creek bed

LAWRENCE COUNTY, Mo. — Just before 8 a.m. Tuesday reports west of Mount Vernon along I-44 a tractor trailer went through the guardrail to a dry creek bed below the interstate.

| GAS TANKER CRASHES AT SPRINGFIELD AND BURNS ALONG I-44 SPRINGFIELD POLICE REPORT

Traffic was at a standstill eastbound for a period of time as guardrail jutted out into the driving lane.

The tractor trailer was eastbound and left the roadway towards the median (left) and then traveled below the overpass crashing to a dry creek bed below.

Tractor trailer driver was transported by ground ambulance to a Springfield, Mo. hospital. Injuries are unknown.

We learn later a Ford Escape also crashed. Two occupants in that vehicle did not require medical transport to a hospital.

We observed MoDOT marking about 100 feet of destroyed guardrail.

Schrader’s Towing responded to the 41.4 mile marker to remove the tractor trailer and load, which appeared to be a large commercial HVAC unit. See our live video as we see them pull the trailer and load to the median from the dry creek bed.

This is a breaking news story, we will update information here on our Joplin News First news tab at KOAM News Now. Scroll below to sign up for our JLNews updates so you don’t miss an article.

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SUV overturns on I-44 creating traffic back-up near Halltown, Mo.

LAWRENCE COUNTY, Mo. — Just after 10 a.m. Monday Missouri State Highway Patrol respond to a rollover crash west of Halltown, Mo. along I-44 at 56 mile marker.

An SUV towing a pickup crashed with two occupants.

Virnel Newsome, 79, of Lakeside, Arizona, was driving a 2000 Ford Excursion, westbound on I-44. He was not injured.

Tpr Goosetree of Troop D says the Excursion traveled off the roadway and overturned.

A passenger in the Excursion, Lisa Newsome, 49, suffered serious injuries. She was transported by ambulance to Mercy Springfield.

Traffic was backed up for miles westbound as the entire roadway was blocked for about 1.5 hours.

View active traffic on the MoDOT Travelers App.

MODOT TRAVELERS APP

💻 You can view the MoDOT TRAVELERS map on your computer by clicking here.

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Tractor trailer burns on I-44 slowing traffic, live footage near Halltown, Mo.

LAWRENCE COUNTY, Mo. — Just before 5 p.m. Tuesday reports of a tractor trailer and visible flames and smoke near 56.8 mile marker westbound alerted Halltown Fire.

The tractor trailer became fully engulfed pulled into the right shoulder. Reported the fire began in the engine compartment and the driver was out safe.

RELATED >> Missouri 96 Highway closed east of Carthage, Mo. detours around bridge replacement near Avilla; Closure endures to October 2022

Missouri State Highway Patrol are working with MoDOT on traffic conditions as one lane is currently continuing westbound but the backup is about 3 miles.

MODOT TRAVELERS APP

💻 You can view the MoDOT TRAVELERS map on your computer by clicking here.

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Trailer explodes in fireworks stopping I-44 traffic at Halltown, Mo.

LAWRENCE COUNTY, Mo. — Just after 5:15 p.m. reports from tipsters alerted us to stopped traffic on I-44 west near the 58 MM.

Missouri State Highway Patrol reports a pickup hauling an enclosed trailer hauling fireworks caught fire on the right shoulder.

Witnesses on scene tell us the trailer became fully engulfed in fire and exploding fireworks. Fire covered the west shoulder and embankment and fire in the median continued for a time as fire arrived.

The roadway was completely blocked for nearly an hour as traffic was diverted off at 61 MM west (Hood’s) that would circle back around to Halltown at 58 MM.

No reported injuries as the pickup hauling the trailer unhooked and pulled forward. 

One lane of traffic began flowing after 6 p.m.

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Gas is 12¢ on Route 66 at Spencer, Mo.; See what the 30’s and 40’s looked like on the Mother Road

LAWRENCE COUNTY, Mo. – Just off Hwy 96 east of Carthage, Mo. located on the Historic Route 66 Scenic Byway is Spencer, Mo. Is the restored facade of the old Spencer gas station, Spencer Store, Spencer Cafe and Barbershop.  Barely west of Johnson Creek where the bridge still is in use (30 ton limit).

I was covering another story in Lawrence County on I-44 and I thought I’d drop by and take a closer look.  As I was there four classic cars rolled up and the folks got out to take a look at the storefronts. They are from Louisville, Kentucky, and traveling the old route for fun.

The story behind Spencer was one man’s dream.  Sidney Casey heard that the first major east to west highway (US Route 66) would be constructed through the center of the United States.  He had the vision to know tha tsome day when the road came through, it would be an excellent location to operate the many business’s that he eventually had, such as, service station/garage, cafe, grocery store, barber shop, post office and feed store (all but the cafe and barber shop were operated by the Casey family). He wanted this dream so bad that he walked 100 miles on foot to buy the property in July 1925.  He contacted the owner of this property, Frand Johnson, and paid him $400.00 for the entire asking price, for the store building and two acres of land.  And eventually after many years his dream had been fulfilled.

This land was important because across the road there was a labor camp.  They had several hundred men that were sued to construct the highway.  They used the water from Johnson Creek and mixed their concrete by hand in sleds and used teams of horses to pull the sleds to the roadway and hand troweled the concrete.  As of today, the highway in front of Spencer is the only one of four stretches of Route 66 that has the original concrete road and has never been overlaid or widened.

In it’s heyday, Spencer was an important stop along Route 66.  There were tourist cabins up the hill at Camp Lookout, that you could rent nightly and a wooden dance floor that was a popular attraction to the many travelers passing through on Route 66. 

The slab rock dwellings are native stone, meaning what kind of rock was available to the immediate area.  Flat slices of rock embedded in cement.  The style is called Ozark giraffe, was commonly used along Route 66.  The structures in Spencer tell much of the history of Route 66 and what it looked like in the 30’s and 40’s.

How did Spencer get revived for a beautiful photo op along the route?  Francis and Mary Lynn Ryan purchased Spencer in 2007 from a grandson of the Casey family.

The Ryan’s have done a lot of research to restore the buildings to how they looked originally.  “This is not just a service station or feed store or cafe, it is a town.  Restoring it has been a huge undertaking but has received great recognition in Missouri. So much could be done with this particular strip of Route 66, but their interests at this time is to preserve the structures of the town of Spencer.  Their plans are not to make any of the stores functional, but to restore them to look like they did back in the 30’s and 40’s.

Lots of work and money has gone into the restoration but the Ryan’s have enjoyed every part of it.  In the short time they have owned Spencer, the Ryan’s have been overwhelmed with the tourists that stop and just want to know about the history of Spencer. Author Unknown, taken from the cafe window at Spencer

SPENCER, MO. HISTORIC STORE FRONTS IN LAWRENCE COUNTY, MO. LOCATED ON HISTORIC ROUTE 66 SCENIC BYWAY. GOOGLE MAPS.

Spencer really came to not-exist when new roads were built that bypassed this section low in the valley of Johnson Creek.  Hwy 96 to the north and I-44 about 5 miles to the south.

“Spencer is a small unincorporated crossroads in eastern Lawrence County, Missouri, United States. It lies along former U.S. Route 66 approximately six miles west of Halltown. A post office called Spencer was established in 1868, and remained in operation until 1907. The community was named after a local merchant.”

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Tractor trailer overturns in crash, blocking I-44 for hours


LAWRENCE COUNTY, Mo.
— About 8 p.m. Friday evening reports near Mount Vernon regarding a tractor trailer overturned blocking all westbound lanes of I-44.

First responders were dispatched emergency and Lawrence County Sheriff’s Deputies. Missouri State Highway Patrol were notified.

Information received the tractor trailer had crashed to its side, spilling its load of fresh vegetables across an overpass.

More than one recovery team was dispatched to remove the crash, estimated to take 4-5 hours for clean up. M&M Wrecker is part of that recovery. 

It is unknown what damage occurred to the overpass.

Also the condition of the driver is unknown at this time.

We anticipate updates information overnight from the Missouri State Highway Patrol. The Crash Investigation Unit of Troop D is on the scene. 

This is a breaking news story, stay with Joplin News First as we continue to learn more.