Change of venue for Bloomfield boy accused in killing

The trial for a southeast Missouri boy accused of killing his neighbor will be moved to St. Louis County.

Owen Welty was 13 when he was charged in November 2006 with first-degree murder in the death of 64-year-old Don McCollough, who was killed on his farm near Bloomfield. Welty is now 14 and would be one of the youngest people ever tried as an adult in a Missouri murder case.

The case was originally moved on a change of venue from Stoddard County to Cape Girardeau County. On Monday, Judge William Syler agreed to move it to St. Louis County.

Attorneys for both sides declined comment.

Welty has spent 19 months in jail awaiting trial. He could face up to life in prison if convicted. Because of his young age, he is not eligible for the death penalty.