State will not seek death penalty in SW Mo. death

NEVADA (AP) - The state will not seek the death penalty against a farmhand charged with killing a southwest Missouri woman in 2009, but prosecutors have not made a similar decision for the victim's husband, who is also charged in her death.

The farmhand, 33-year-old Jeremy L. Maples, is charged with first-degree murder in the July 15, 2009, death of Belinda J. Beisly, 47, who died from gunshot wounds at her home north of Deerfield.

Maples was a farmhand for rancher Bob T. Beisly II at the time of the homicide. The Beislys were getting divorced when she was killed.

Maples waived his right to a preliminary hearing Wednesday in Vernon County Circuit Court. Belinda Beisly's ex-husband, who is also charged with first-degree murder, waived his preliminary hearing May 10.

Tim Anderson, an assistant attorney general, said after Wednesday's hearing that no decision about the death penalty had been made for Bob Beisly.

A probable-cause affidavit filed with the court alleges that Maples told investigators Beisly and he had discussed killing Belinda Beisly several times, and that Beisly offered him $10,000 to do it.

Maples reportedly said he went to the woman's home to tell her about the murder plot but she was already dead.