Lafferty, Hicks waive arraignment, plead not guilty

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- Donald Lafferty quietly entered a plea of not guilty last week at the Stoddard County Justice Center.

Appearing with his attorney, Don Moore, Lafferty waived his right to an arraignment. He was scheduled to appear again Aug. 20 for case review.

Christopher Hicks of Dexter, Missouri, also pleaded not guilty after waiving his right to arraignment.

Both men are charged with arson, attempted murder, first degree arson and armed criminal action after a January 2013 fire at the rural Bloomfield home of Lafferty and his now-former wife, Mildred (Lafferty) Sandage.

The charges allege the men -- along with Brandi Hicks, Christopher Hicks' wife -- agreed to set fire to the Lafferty home while Mildred Lafferty slept, with the Hicks couple getting $15,000 for setting the fire and $5,000 more if Mildred Lafferty died.

Donald Lafferty also faces a felony charge of financial exploitation of the elderly in a matter involving his mother.

When the two men last appeared for their preliminary hearings, a full courtroom heard testimony along with 18 exhibits presented by Stoddard County prosecuting attorney Russell Oliver. It was determined enough evidence was presented for the defendants to be bound over to Division I court.