Murder charges upgraded to first degree in Kennett case

KENNETT, Mo. — The two charges against William Joshua Carter have been upgraded to first-degree murder after the deaths of Heather Carter, 26, and Aaron Campbell, 25, on June 17.

Carter, 25, of Kennett originally was charged with two counts of second-degree murder after he was accused of purposefully ramming his vehicle into another SUV twice in Kennett.

The second crash fatally injured Campbell, who was pronounced dead at the scene. Heather Carter, a mother of three sons, later was pronounced dead that day at a Memphis, Tennessee, hospital because of the injuries sustained in the crash.

The suspect appeared in court Tuesday morning, where his motion for a change of judge was granted. The new judge will be appointed at a later date.

Pertinent address:

Kennett, Mo.