Former minister's attempted-murder trial delayed

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- Donald Lafferty is due in court in January after being originally scheduled to stand trial this month.

The former minister faces charges of first-degree attempted murder, first-degree arson, armed criminal action and financial exploitation of an elderly/disabled person.

Stoddard County Prosecutor Russ Oliver said Judge David Dolan, who was assigned to hear the case after a change of judge request, granted a continuance at the request of Lafferty's defense.

Lafferty's attorney, Daniel Moore, had requested the release of medical records in April, and Dolan granted that request.

On June 9, Oliver filed a motion to endorse an expert witness -- presumably relating to one of the defense's motions.

The charges facing Lafferty allege he, along with Brandi and Christopher Hicks, agreed to carry out a plan to set fire to the Lafferty home as Donald Lafferty's now-former wife, Mildred, slept. In exchange, the Hickses would be paid $15,000, with another $5,000 if Mildred Lafferty perished in the fire.

The alleged plot occurred in January 2013.

In October, Oliver publicly showed his displeasure with a ruling that allowed Lafferty to post $75,000 bond. At the time, Oliver objected and cited that Lafferty had fled to Vermont and Massachusetts before being apprehended and returned to Stoddard County.

Since posting bond, Lafferty reportedly is living in Massachusetts.

"I'm fairly confident the trial will commence in January," Oliver said. "I don't foresee any other motions getting filed to delay the process."

Christopher Hicks is scheduled to begin his trial July 16.