Stoddard County prosecutor may seek death penalty in murder case

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- Stoddard County Prosecuting Attorney Briney Welborn said Thursday afternoon in a court hearing that the case against accused murderer Allen McCoy may be a death penalty case.

"It appears it's a capital case, but we need the autopsy results to know for sure," he told Judge Joe Satterfield at the arraignment hearing.

A number of guidelines must be met in order to request the death penalty, and Welborn is awaiting the autopsy report to ensure he has all of the evidence before he makes his decision.

Angela McCoy

Thursday marked the first court appearance for the couple charged with the Monday murder of 67-year-old Aubrey Lee Finch of Bernie, Mo.

Allen McCoy, also known as "Smurf," 36, of Bernie, appeared first alongside his attorney, Catherine Rice, and waived formal arraignment.

A later hearing was scheduled for July 22 because Satterfield wanted to await the findings of the autopsy that was conducted Wednesday.

Angela McCoy, 38 of Bernie also appeared. She was quiet as she approached the stand and Satterfield read her charges aloud.

He then asked her if she had an attorney, and she replied that her family was in the process of hiring one.

Her case was reset for July 22 as well, to give her time to hire an attorney.

Both McCoys are charged with first-degree murder, first-degree robbery and two counts of armed criminal action, and both are being held in the Stoddard County Jail with no bond.