Couple accused in 2010 Bernie stabbing appear for preliminary hearing

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- A couple from Bernie, Mo., had their day in court Friday as newly seated Stoddard County Prosecuting Attorney Russell Oliver worked to prove the case against them.

Allen McCoy and Angela McCoy, both of Bernie, are both charged in the June stabbing death of 67-year-old Aubrey Lee Finch in his Bernie home.

Before the proceeding, Allen McCoy waived his right to a preliminary hearing. He will now go before Presiding Judge Stephen Sharp at 10:30 a.m. Feb. 16.

Angela McCoy, however, did not waive her hearing; it began around 11 a.m. Friday in Judge Joe Satterfield's courtroom at the Bloomfield Justice Center. Angela McCoy appeared alongside her attorney, John Shock.

Oliver presented a list of 10 expected witnesses to testify along with 35 pieces of evidence, including photos of the crime scene, knives and the autopsy report.

Allen McCoy

One of the chief witnesses was Melvin Hufford Sr.

Hufford testified that on the afternoon of June 28, Allen and Angela McCoy visited his property, interested in purchasing a vehicle. The McCoys had purchased vehicles from him before, he said. Hufford said they bought a 1970 Honda motorcycle for $500.

He also said they were visibly intoxicated.

"Allen kept saying that he'd stabbed a man 17 times, slit his throat and shoved a sword through his head," Hufford testified. Angela McCoy "kept telling him to shut up."

After that they reportedly entered Hufford's home and sold him a knife and lighter.

"At first, I didn't think he was serious," he said. "Then he said, 'I didn't want to kill Lee. He was my friend.' That's when I started taking him more seriously."

Hufford then testified that a neighbor who helps out with Hufford's children appeared on the scene and pointed out that there was a fire in the ditch beside the road. Angela McCoy, at that point, was still in a PT Cruiser in which they had arrived, and she said that Allen threw a bloody shirt in the fire.

Under cross-examination from Shock later, Hufford was asked how he knew it was a bloody shirt and stated "because he told me it was his bloody shirt".

Hufford said Allen McCoy seemed "almost excited" about the murder, even telling the story in front of Hufford's children.

"He acted like he thought he was tough," he said, "like he was Superman or something."

The couple returned later, and McCoy tried to sell Hufford a television. Hufford then bought the television, testifying that he just "wanted them gone".

Pertinent address:

Bernie, MO