MO - Greg Jones, 14, shot twice in the head, Russellville, April 24, 1991 *Arrest in 2020*

[Legally Bland]

A Fulton man has been charged in connection with the 1991 death of a Russellville area teenager.

At a news conference Thursday afternoon, Cole County Prosecutor Locke Thompson announced William Niemet, 43, was charged with first-degree murder in the death of Greg Jones, 14.

Authorities said Jones was initially reported missing April 24, 1991, and his remains were discovered June 8, 1991, by a neighbor in a drainage ditch between Route D and Stringtown Road.

Thompson said Jones died from two bullet wounds to the head.

Sheriff John Wheeler said the arrest and charging of Niemet was the result of seven months of investigation; he said they are still asking for the public's help in getting information about the case.

Due to the age of Niemet at the time of the offense, which was 14, the case was first handled by the Cole County Juvenile Office.

Fulton man charged with murder in connection to 1991 case

 

[Legally Bland]

He [Niemet] was first arrested days after authorities found the teen's body in June 1991, Fox 22 Columbia reported Friday.

The case then was brought in juvenile court, and court documents do not say what Niemet, who was then 14, was charged with, according to the station. The case was eventually dropped and Niemet filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the county and then-Sheriff John Hemeyer in 1997.

The lawsuit claimed the sheriff used "false information" to imprison Niemet in order to “sweat out” a confession to the murder, according to the station. The court dismissed the case, saying Niemet had not shown any proof that Hemeyer fabricated evidence against him.

At a news conference Thursday, Cole County Prosecutor Locke Thompson said that advancements in forensic technology, not available in 1991, led to Niemet’s new arrest, according to the Jefferson City News Tribune. He did not say what those advancements were.

Arrest made in Missouri slaying of teenage boy 29 years ago

 

[airportwoman]

I came here because I wondered if anyone else had beaten me to it.

The suspect owned a Golden Corral in Quincy, Illinois that is currently closed because of COVID, and it will not reopen.

Quincy restaurant owner arrested for 1991 murder

It sounds like a huge tragedy for everyone involved.

 

[CastlesBurning]

Man charged in 1991 cold case murder, released on bond