Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.
EXACTLY!IMO, it SHOULD take about 3 MINUTES....
IIRC, these are capital charges, with the defendant subject to the death penalty. Those trials have to be more thorough.
April 28, 2023
![]()
Cassidy Rainwater murder suspect gets life in prison
DALLAS COUNTY, Mo. — James D. Phelps entered an Alford plea for a charge of first-degree murder in a Dallas County court today, April 28.www.ozarksfirst.com
[…]
Phelps was sentenced to life in prison without parole. Prior to the plea, prosecutors were pursuing the death penalty.
[…]
Agree with this entire post.I'm glad he has a life sentence without the possibility of parole. He and Norton both deserved the death penalty though. Just horrid what Cassidy was put through.
A question regarding plea agreements, will the public still learn of the details in this case? There are still alot of unanswered questions. A whole house was burned to the ground along with evidence. I also can't imagine Cassidy being the first/only victim either, MOO.
That‘s a really good question. The prosecutors and LE need to reveal the details of this case to the public. Given the history, it seems possible there have been other victims and other perps.I'm glad he has a life sentence without the possibility of parole. He and Norton both deserved the death penalty though. Just horrid what Cassidy was put through.
A question regarding plea agreements, will the public still learn of the details in this case? There are still alot of unanswered questions. A whole house was burned to the ground along with evidence. I also can't imagine Cassidy being the first/only victim either, MOO.
Well, now there won't be a trial for Phelps as he took an Alford Plea and life in prison. I'm not sure we'll ever learn all the details, or if there were other victims (sure seems to be a strange set of actions if this was their "first time").
James Phelps faced first-degree murder charges in Rainwater’s death in the summer of 2021. The Alford plea admits Phelps believes the state has enough evidence to convict him. A judge sentenced him to life in prison without the possibility of probation and parole. Phelps has been taken to the Department of Corrections in Fulton.
I agree, IANAL but I have no idea why the prosecution would accept an Alford Plea here.Is it just me or is it a little odd that he was offered an Alford Plea?
An Alford Plea allows him to plead guilty while maintaining his innocence.
![]()
No Contest Pleas, Conditional Pleas, and Alford Pleas in Criminal Law Cases
A no contest plea may avoid collateral civil consequences, a conditional plea preserves an issue for appeal, and an Alford plea maintains the defendant's innocence.www.justia.com
Why not just make him plead guilty? They certainly had overwhelming evidence against him. Perhaps he was refusing to plead guilty, but prosecution wanted to avoid a trial.
JMO, its very possible there were other victims and other perps or "spectators" involved. That's why someone set the torture house on fire after the arrests. JMO, Phelps wanted to bring up other guilty parties as part of his defense.
Norton is set to be in court today
Thank you. It says his next hearing is June 27.![]()
Timothy Norton appears in Dallas County court in Cassidy Rainwater case; What’s next?
Norton faces murder, kidnapping, and abandonment of a corpse in the death of Cassidy Rainwater in the summer of 2021.www.ky3.com
It seems that Norton is not going to take a plea like Phelps did (yet). Prosecutor says the trial will remain in Dallas County.
That was certainly a brief report -- no mention of the arson, other evidence found or anything to do with the dark net - etc., etc.,June 27, 2023 update -
![]()
Timothy Norton enters guilty plea in death of Cassidy Rainwater in Dallas County; Norton talks to KY3
Timothy Norton, one of two men accused of Cassidy Rainwater’s death in Dallas County, entered a guilty plea in court on Tuesday.www.ky3.com
[…]
Timothy Norton pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in Rainwater’s death in the summer of 2021. A judge sentenced him to life in prison without parole.
[…]