Prosecutors seek death penalty in slaying of Mo. girl

CASSVILLE, Mo. -- Prosecutors plan to seek the death penalty for two men charged in the rape and murder of a 9-year-old southwest Missouri girl.

Barry County prosecutor Johnnie Cox filed notice with the court Monday, saying that he plans to seek the death penalty for Rowan Ford's stepfather, David Spears, and Chris Collings, a friend of Spears.

Both men have pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder, forcible rape and statutory rape in Rowan's November death.

Because the state will pursue the death penalty, both Spears and Collings will be appointed new public defenders. Spears' current public defender, Michael King, declined comment Tuesday and said the case hadn't yet been reassigned.

Ford disappeared from her home in the Newton County village of Stella while her mother was working a night shift. An intensive weeklong search ended when her body was found in a cave about 10 miles south in neighboring McDonald County.

Both Spears and Collings have confessed to rape and murder, according to prosecutors and court filings.

In Monday's filing, Cox said that the slaying was "outrageously or wantonly vile, horrible or inhuman," involving torture or depravity of mind.

The next court hearing in the case is scheduled for May 20.