‘Motion hearing’ set Tuesday in Bustamante murder case

Alyssa Bustamante is shown in court on Dec. 8, 2009. Photo by The Associated Press.

Originally published January 9, 2012 at 7:56 p.m., updated January 10, 2012 at 4 a.m.

A motion hearing is scheduled for Tuesday morning in the Alyssa Bustamante murder case.

And the victim’s mother has told reporters the hearing will involve a plea agreement in the case.

In November 2009, after a juvenile court certification hearing determined Bustamante could be tried as an adult, Cole County grand jurors charged the teen — then 15 1/2 — with first-degree murder and armed criminal action for killing Elizabeth Olten, 9, on Oct. 21, 2009, by strangling her, cutting her throat and stabbing her.

In a Facebook message Monday evening, Olten’s mother, Patty Preiss, said Tuesday’s plea hearing was being held “against my wishes.”

Two county officials confirmed Monday night that a hearing had been scheduled, although it was not listed in the Missouri courts’ statewide, online “Case.net” system.

Neither official would say what the hearing was about.

Messages sent to Cole County Prosecutor Mark Richardson and Public Defenders Donald Catlett and Charles Moreland were not answered Monday night.

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karaokequeen 1 year, 4 months ago

READ ssristories.com go through all pages. this case is included...very very scary

AFfalcon 1 year, 4 months ago

This has been drug out for how many years and now you offer a plea deal? I would think you would offer a deal if you thought your evidence might not hold up but this case is strong. I don't want to hear the excuse of saving the money of a trial because you have blown several years worth of money already, let justice run it's course.

I would think they would take into account the wishes of the victims rather than overide them for personal gain. If the prosecutor doesn't have the stones to take it to trial then get out and let somebody else do the job.

JMO 1 year, 4 months ago

The court case against may be strong, but it's not open and shut. The exclusion of the confession, unfortunately, was a proper legal ruling, and is a blow to the prosecution that they may be able to overcome - or they may not. She could be acquitted. It happens even in strong court cases. Not everyone the general public feels strongly should be convicted, gets convicted. Remember Casey Anthony? Plea bargaining has its purpose. It guarantees she does not walk away from this without a murder conviction and seriously hard time.

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