Preliminary hearing set for woman accused of covering up Scott City murder

BENTON, Mo. -- A preliminary hearing was set Wednesday for Tiffany Warner, girlfriend of accused murderer Neil Howland Jr., on charges she helped cover up the murder of Howland's mother, Cynthia Canoy of Scott City.

Warner appeared in court Wednesday with her attorney, Stephen Wilson, for a case review on child endangerment charges and arraignment on charges of tampering with evidence. Judge Scott Horman set a preliminary hearing for both cases for 1 p.m. Oct. 23.

Warner, 24, was arrested Aug. 21 in connection with Canoy's death and charged with tampering with physical evidence in a felony prosecution, a felony that carries a punishment of up to four years in jail. She posted a $15,000 bond.

Warner and Howland lived with Canoy at the time of her death. Canoy's body was found in a burning SUV in a northern Scott County cornfield Aug. 7. Howland is accused of strangling her, then burning the car with her body and her two dogs inside.

Howland is charged with first-degree murder, abandonment of a corpse, tampering with evidence and knowingly burning, all felonies. The most serious charge carries a potential life sentence. Howland, 25, of Scott City appeared via video Aug. 21 for arraignment, and his case is set for a preliminary hearing at 2 p.m. Tuesday.

Prosecutors have charged Warner with burning a dog leash they suspect Howland used to strangle Canoy. She also was accused of child endangerment after investigators found unsanitary living conditions during a search of the house during the murder investigation.

skluenser@semissourian.com

388-3648

Pertinent address:

Scott City, Mo.

Benton, Mo.