Judge Alberty Grants Continuance in Knox City Homicide Case

By Crystal Howerton
 
The Knox County Associate Circuit court convened at approximately 9:45 a.m. on Friday, December 28, 2007, in the preliminary hearing of Shane Colby Roberts, 28, of Kirksville, MO, having been slightly delayed due to inclement weather.
Roberts was charged with Murder in the First Degree and Armed Criminal Action in the October 5 or 6 homicide of Larry G. Callahan, 57, of Knox City, MO on October 30, 2007.
Judge William E. Alberty announced that Corporal David Johnson with the Missouri State Highway Patrol, who was scheduled to attend the hearing, would not be present due to an illness, therefore it was possible that the hearing would be continued.  
First called to the stand was Angela D. Knowles, 27, of Kirksville, MO, sister of Roberts, who was charged with Murder in the Second Degree, also in connection with Callahan’s death.
Shortly after Prosecuting Attorney David Brown began questioning Knowles, she stated that she was refusing to testify as Roberts, her brother, was present.   Brown then requested a continuance explaining that without the testimony of Knowles on behalf of the state, Cpl. Johnson’s presence was absolutely necessary to the case. 
Following a short recess, in which Knowles’ attorney requested to consult with his client, it was confirmed that Knowles would not testify against her brother on that day, and the hearing was rescheduled for Friday afternoon, January 11, 2008 at 1:30 p.m.
Prior to adjournment, Roberts’ council requested that Roberts be released on an OR (Own Recognizance) bond on behalf of his client, who would be under the supervision of his probation officer and volunteered to be placed under house arrest.  However, Judge Alberty denied the request because there would not be a significant wait until the next hearing.