Double murder trial to begin Monday

A Cape Girardeau man will go on trial this week on charges he murdered his wife and son.

George Joseph is accused in the 2013 shooting deaths of his wife, Mary Joseph, and son, Matthew Joseph, at their home on West Cape Rock Drive.

The trial had been set for September 2014, but was postponed after a motion by Joseph's attorney at the time, public defender Bevy Beimdieck, requesting more time to prepare.

Several attorneys have represented Joseph in his case.

Judge Benjamin Lewis appointed Beimdieck as Joseph's attorney after private attorney Bryan Greaser withdrew from the case in February 2014, citing "irreconcilable differences."

Assistant public defender Daniel J. Gralike replaced Beimdiek as Joseph's attorney in August, when Beimdieck withdrew because she was leaving the public defender's office. Gralike then withdrew from the case Sept. 2, and assistant public defender Cynthia A. Dryden was appointed, online court records show.

Relatives of the Josephs reported finding Mary and Matthew Joseph dead and George Joseph injured about 8 a.m. May 30, 2013, at the family home, according to a probable-cause statement filed in the case.

An autopsy revealed Mary and Matthew Joseph both had multiple gunshot wounds to the head. Police said they were killed with a .22 caliber handgun found near George Joseph at the scene.

George Joseph allegedly had shot his wife and son, then turned the gun on himself in what investigators have called a failed suicide attempt.

During a preliminary hearing in 2013, George Joseph's brother-in-law testified Joseph had been distraught over financial problems and was worried because he was under federal investigation.

In May, Lewis overruled a motion by Dryden to block financial matters involving George Joseph from being entered into evidence.

Court documents show 20 people have filed claims against the estate of Joseph's wife and son, saying the funds were ill-gotten because Joseph defrauded them of more than $500,000. No fraud charges have been filed in connection with the allegations, however.

A jury is being brought in from Cole County, Missouri, to hear the case.

kwebster@semissourian.com

388-3646

Pertinent address:

1220 W. Cape Rock Drive, Cape Girardeau, Mo.