POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- A Butler County judge on Thursday ordered a Poplar Bluff man to stand trial for causing the death of his father and severely injuring his mother when he allegedly struck both repeatedly with a baseball bat.
Accompanied by his attorney, Matthew Dale Jenkins appeared before Associate Circuit Judge John Bloodworth for a preliminary hearing.
After hearing testimony from three witness, Bloodworth found probable cause to order the 27-year-old to stand trial on felony first-degree assault and felony second-degree murder, and two felony counts of armed criminal action.
Bloodworth ordered Jenkins to appear March 5 before Presiding Circuit Judge Michael Pritchett for arraignment on the charges.
Authorities accuse Jenkins of beating his parents Jan. 15 at their Poplar Bluff home. His father, Carl Don Jenkins, died a couple of weeks after the attack. Prosecutors say Matthew Jenkins beat his father and mother, Vicki Jenkins, and initially told police he was gone at the time of the attack, but later admitted to beating them after an argument.
Pertinent address:
Poplar Bluff, Mo.
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