Missouri man found guilty in former son-in-law's death

PLATTE CITY, Mo. -- A Platte County jury on Thursday deliberated less than three hours before convicting a man of shooting his former son-in-law to death.

Jimmy Williams, 47, of Liberty, was convicted of first-degree murder and armed criminal action in the death of Thadd Mize, 28, last Dec. 12.

Prosecutors claimed that Mize was shot so his ex-wife, Chrysta Mize, who is Williams' daughter, could collect on a fraudulent life insurance policy. The victim's former wife and mother-in-law also face charges in his death. They have pleaded innocent and are awaiting trial.

The victim's father, David Mize, of Derby, Kan., told The Kansas City Star that he felt vindicated by the jury's decision.

"We believe in justice," David Mize said. When asked what punishment was reasonable for Williams, he answered, "I hope he rots in jail."

Mize's girlfriend, Jennifer Monroe, testified Wednesday and Thursday about the night he died. Mize was in a car talking to Monroe on a cell phone when he told her his former in-laws had followed him.

Monroe said she then heard loud popping sounds and Mize yelled that he had been shot.

The defense offered no witnesses before resting its case Thursday. Williams' attorney, John Newberry, said in closing arguments that police and prosecutors "made a rush to judgment." He said authorities had not found any physical evidence that connected Williams to the shooting and no witnesses had seen his client shoot the victim.

"They threw a whole bunch of facts on the wall, and they threw a whole bunch of pieces of puzzle on the table," Newberry said. "But there is not enough evidence."

However, Platte County Prosecutor Tammy Glick said the evidence proved that Williams killed Mize. She reminded jurors of evidence presented during the trial that a life insurance policy that Thadd Mize claimed was forged and fraudulent was taken out on him shortly before he was killed.

The life insurance policy was taken out in May 2001, the month after Thadd and Chrysta Mize separated and Thadd Mize had moved out of their home in north Kansas City.

About the same time, the Williamses also filed for bankruptcy, and a mortgage company began foreclosing on their Kansas City home. Thadd and Chrysta Mize also had filed separately for bankruptcy.

The prosecutor said during Mize's 10-year marriage to Chrysta Mize, the victim was intimidated by Williams and feared him.

She recommended a life sentence for Williams.

"Jimmy Williams gets life, which is more than what he gave Thadd Mize," Glick said.