Stoddard County husband and wife accused of murder seek change of venue

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- A Bernie, Mo., couple accused of the June 2010 murder of 67-year-old Aubery Lee Finch, also of Bernie, made their first appearance before Judge Stephen Sharp in a Bloomfield courtroom Wednesday morning.

Allen and Angela McCoy made separate appearances, but with largely the same results.

Each appeared, waived their formal arraignment and reading of charges and suggested a change of venue.

Angela McCoy's attorney, John Shock, formally withdrew from the case citing that the defendant would be seeking defense from the Public Defender's Office. He stated that he had spoken with the Public Defender's Office and believed they would handle her case based on the application.

Angela McCoy will appear before Sharp again March 16, by which time she should have retained her new attorney. There will be a case review at that time and, if desired, the change of venue may be addressed.

The case against Allen McCoy will also be revisited May 18, at which time the change of venue request in his case will be addressed.

An autopsy was conducted following the discovery of Finch's body and it was determined he had died as a result of at least 12 stab wounds to the head and neck.

According to the probable cause statement filed by Cpl. J. D. Johnson with the Missouri State Water Patrol and assigned to the Stoddard County Major Case Squad, on June 28, a witness contacted the New Madrid County Sheriff's Department and reported that Allen McCoy, nicknamed Smurf, had come to his residence and told him that he had killed a man named Lee in Bernie.

The report states that three other witnesses were identified who heard McCoy state he stabbed a Bernie man and robbed him.

Both McCoys are still being held in the Stoddard County Jail with no bond allowed. Each faces the death penalty if convicted.

Pertinent address:

Bloomfield, MO

Bernie, MO