GUILTY MO - Kara Kopetsky, 17 in 2007; Jessica Runions, 21 in 2016; found deceased - *ARREST* #2

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Jewels53 said:
This is Kara's mother on the stand

Kara Koptesky's mother asks jury for max sentence in Yust trial

Kara's stepdad on the stand

Kara Kopetsky's stepdad recalls last time he saw her

Jessica's mother on the stand

'If a person does stuff, they're gonna do it again': Jessica Runions' mother speaks to jury ahead of sentencing

Jessica's Dad

‘Our family is broken forever’ John Runions breaks down on stand talking about his daughter – FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports
Click to expand...

John Runions testimony is just heartwrenching. The way he keeps looking back at his little girl in her prom dress while he tries to talk about the impact of her death....I said last night that justice is justice even if it doesn't look how we wanted it to. But this doesn't feel like justice today. Manslaughter and 2nd degree feels like salt in the wound as we get a glimpse of the pain and heartache that these families have to carry.
 
https://www.kshb.com/news/crime/yust-trial/updates-sentencing-phase-in-kylr-yust-trial-underway

https://www.kshb.com/news/crime/yus...ences-for-yust-in-deaths-of-kopetsky-runions\

Kylr Yust jury recommends max sentence, including life, for killing Jessica Runions, Kara Kopetsky

My4Jognx


@MattFlenerKMBC
13m
Jamie Runions and Rhonda Beckford speak with journalists after today’s sentencing.

(Click for video of mother's statement)
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Monday, June 7th:
*Formal Sentencing Hearing (@ 2:30pm CT) – MO – Kara Elise Kopetsky (17) (last seen at Belton High, May 4, 2007, Belton; found by a mushroom hunter in rural Cass County near East 223rd & State Route Y on April 3, 2017) & Jessica S. Runions (21) (missing Sept. 8, 2016, Raymore; her car was found burned near Bannister & Blue River Rds. on Sept. 10, 2016. Found by mushroom hunters in rural Cass County near East 223rd & State Route Y on April 4, 2017) – *Kylr Charles Yust (18 in 2007/29/now 32) indicted (3/1/18) & arraigned (6/18/18) on 2 counts of 1st degree & 2 counts of abandonment of a corpse. Plead not guilty. $1M cash only bond. Originally charged with felony arson for burning Jessica’s car was dismissed on 10/5/17. Charges of 2 counts of abandonment of a corpse-dismissed on 3/4/21).
Trial began 4/5/21. Jury Selection started on 3/29/21 & ended on 3/31/21. Court will be held on Saturdays also. Held in Cass County & jurors from St. Charles County. Jurors will be sequestered throughout the trial (expected to last 3 weeks). Jury: 12 jurors & 3 alternates (12 women & 3 men). One alternate was released on 4/5/21. State rested their case on 4/10/21 & had 53 witnesses. Defense rested their case on 4/14/21 & had 28 witnesses. Jury deliberations: 4/14/21: 6:15pm to 10pm (~ 3 hours & 45 mins). 4/15/21: 8am to 7:30pm (~10 hours & 30 mins.) Total deliberations: 14 hours & 15 mins. Verdict: Guilty of voluntary manslaughter of Kara Kopetsky & guilty of 2nd degree murder of Jessica Runions.
Court info from 3/1/18 thru 3/11/21 & jury selection (3/31/21) & Day 1 thru Day 9 of trial (4/5 – 4/14/21) reference post #326 here:
GUILTY - MO - Kara Kopetsky, 17 in 2007; Jessica Runions, 21 in 2016; found deceased - *ARREST* #2
4/16/21 Friday: Sentencing: Verdict on 4/15/21 was: Yust has been found guilty of voluntary manslaughter of Kara Kopetsky & guilty of 2nd degree murder in the death of Jessica Runions. Ben Butler, prosecutor addresses the jury. Matt Vigil, defense attorney speaks to the jury. State calls to stand: Rhonda Beckford, Kara's mother. Showed pictures of Kara growing up. Mike Kopetsky, Kara’s father. Jim Beckford, Kara’s stepfather. Thomas Beckford, Kara’s little brother. He was 8 when she died. Jamie Runions, Jessica’s mother. Showed pictures of Jessica growing up. John Runions, Jessica’s father. Megan Runions, Jessica’s sister. She was 14 when Jessica disappeared. The State rests. Defense will not let cameras on their witnesses. Logan Walsh, Kylr’s friend since he was 4 or 5. Ciara West, friend of Kylr’s since she was 15. AG, friend of Kylr’s met him in 2006. LW neighbor of Kylr’s & mother of previous witness. Defense rests. The jury is given instructions for sentencing. Ben Butler gave closing arguments. Reference post #370 here:
GUILTY - MO - Kara Kopetsky, 17 in 2007; Jessica Runions, 21 in 2016; found deceased - *ARREST* #2
Defense attorney Hastings gave closing arguments. Reference post #372 & #373 here:
GUILTY - MO - Kara Kopetsky, 17 in 2007; Jessica Runions, 21 in 2016; found deceased - *ARREST* #2
Butler back up — “Call him what you want to. Call Jessica Runions, Jessica Runions. Call Kara Kopetsky, Kara Kopetsky. I'm done. There are two girls that will never be seen again. If he's an artist he took the bones of Kara and Jessica and he painted them across the woods and left him there to rot. That's not life”.
Jury started deliberations ~10:45pm CT to 12:15pm (~1 hour 30 mins). Sentence: For Count 1: Declare punishment 15 years & Count 2: Declare punishment life in prison. Judge accepts sentencing. Formal sentencing will be on 6/7/21 @ 2:30pm CT.
5/11/21 Update: Attorneys for convicted murderer Yust have filed a motion in Cass County court for a new trial.
 
HARRISONVILLE, Mo. — Convicted killer Kylr Yust has been sentenced Monday to 45 years in prison.

In March, Yust was convicted of killing 17-year-old Kara Kopetsky in 2007 and 21-year-old Jessica Runions in 2016. The girls’ bodies were found together in a rural field in Cass County in 2017.

A jury convicted Yust of voluntary manslaughter in Kopetsky’s death and second-degree murder for Runions. A jury recommended of 15 years for Kopetsky’s death and a life sentence (30 years) for Runions.

Kylr Yust sentenced to 45 years for killings of Runions, Kopetsky
 
HARRISONVILLE, Mo. — An hour after a Cass County judge handed Kylr Yust the maximum sentence for murdering two metro women, the families of his victims reacted to the news.

A judge sentenced Yust to a total of 45 years in prison for the deaths of Kara Kopetsky and Jessica Runions. The sentence comes less than three months after a jury convicted Yust of voluntary manslaughter for Kopetsky’s death and second-degree murder for the death of Runions.

“It’s been a long time, an emotional time,” Jim Beckford, Kopetsky’s stepfather said. “I want to thank you for your support for Kara and Jessica and our families. You were their voices.”

“Thank you for all the support,” Rhonda Beckford, Kopetsky’s mother, said.

Kylr Yust trial: Victims' families react after sentencing
 
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