Stepdaughter to stand trial in 1999 Qulin killing

A Qulin, Mo., woman was ordered to stand trial Thursday for her alleged role in conspiring with family members to kill her stepmother, whose remains were found scattered in a secluded area near Qulin more than 12 years ago.

Accompanied by her attorney, Danny Moore, Melissa Jo "Missy" Austin Baggett, 38, again appeared before Associate Circuit Judge John Bloodworth for the continuation of her preliminary hearing.

After hearing testimony from two additional witnesses, Bloodworth, who heard from three state witnesses in May, ordered Baggett to stand trial on murder charges.

Bloodworth ordered Baggett to appear Aug. 21 before Presiding Circuit Judge Michael Pritchett for arraignment.

Baggett is one of four charged in connection with the August 1999 death of her stepmother, Carla Ann Austin. Authorities believe the 33-year-old was killed in retaliation by members of her late husband's family, who held her responsible for his earlier death.

John Austin and Henry Rice Jr., both of whom earlier had been ordered to stand trial on murder charges, appeared Tuesday before Pritchett and entered not guilty pleas. Austin, 44, is to appear Aug. 21 before Pritchett for a motion hearing in his case, while Rice, 41, is to appear on the same date for a plea/trial setting. Tracy Lynn Austin Rea, who is charged with second-degree murder, waived having a preliminary hearing in her case July 16 and is to appear Tuesday before Pritchett for arraignment.