Murder case pushed back to October; judge recuses himself

A case that could have been resolved in January may not go to trial until October.

Circuit Court Judge William Winchester recused himself from the Savannah Davis case Thursday and will ask the Missouri Supreme Court to assign a different judge.

Winchester is retiring Oct. 26 because he turns 70.

He said an original trial date was set for January, but Davis intended to plead guilty.

The plea hearing was scheduled for February, but Davis changed her mind.

Assistant New Madrid County, Missouri, prosecuting attorney Amy Preyer was open to a trial date in May or June, but district public defender Susan Warren said her office could not defend the case until October.

Defender Timothy Houck had been representing Davis but is leaving the public defender's office. Warren still needs to assign a lawyer to the case.

"(Davis) has the right to a speedy trial," Winchester said.

"She has that constitutional right."

Warren argued Davis was unhappy with her representation, and that created the delay.

Preyer said another trial setting will be scheduled after a new judge is assigned.

Davis is charged with second-degree murder, armed criminal action, kidnapping and leaving the scene of an accident, all felonies.

Davis is accused of purposely hitting John Sharber, 57, with her car July 11, 2014, in a Sikeston, Missouri, Wal-Mart parking lot.

Police allege Davis took a three-hour, circuitous route to Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, where she dropped off Sharber.

Sharber was transported to St. Louis before he died of internal injuries.

Pertinent address:

200 N. Main St., Charleston, Mo.