Man accused in fatal beating released on bond

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Jon Shikles

CALIFORNIA, Mo. — A 26-year-old California man accused of fatally beating a man April 7 pleaded not guilty Tuesday and was released on $50,000 bond.

Jon T. Shikles, 26, California, was arraigned Tuesday on second-degree murder charges in connection with the beating death of Travis Dean Higgins, 31, California. Higgins’ body was found in an alley about 7 a.m. April 7 in the 400 block of Stella Street, less than three blocks from the courthouse square. Shikles was taken into custody April 8.

According to the Moniteau County Sheriff’s Department, bond was posted for Shikles about 4 p.m. Tuesday, and he was released.

A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for May 17.

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kdzmom 2 years, 1 month ago

*It should be more and he should not get off for manslaughter. He is apparantly a cage fighter and this was intentional and as a cage fighter I would assume he knows where not to hit so he does not fatally injure a component. God be with both families but this should have never happened. I am not anti drinking but this is another example of how liquor can affect one's behavior and put you in situations that you have no control over but no excuse becuase from the report in the paper he pursued Higgins and went after him.

amandad 2 years, 1 month ago

He is not a cage fighter and until u know what happened or know the people u should watch what u say!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

JCLifer 2 years, 1 month ago

They release a known cage fighter on a little bond, but they hold a 16-year old child in jail for a year before her trial?

The kangaroo justice around here makes no sense.

wcywing 2 years, 1 month ago

you also have to consider the victims, a little girl (the defendant is the 16 year girl) and a full grown man (defendant is Shikles), and the charges 1st degree murder vs 2nd degree murder. both of which are class A felonies. while manslaughter is either B or D depending if it was voluntary or involuntary.

JCLifer 2 years, 1 month ago

Usually murderers who kill children only get 7-10 years and are released. The courts put a much lower value on a child's life than they do an adult's life. Not sure why, but child killers typically get a fraction of the time an adult-killer gets.

wcywing 2 years, 1 month ago

were they convicted of murder or manslaughter and what degree? the penalities are usually different. first degree murder is life. do child killers get a get of jail free card?