Suspects indicted in stabbing, burglary cases

The Cole County Grand Jury handed down several indictments this week, finding there was enough evidence in the cases to send them to the circuit courts for possible trial.

Among those indicted was a Jefferson City man who got into an argument over the 2016 presidential election, which escalated into a fight that left another Jefferson City man with four stab wounds.

Marquis Jones, 24, was arrested in November 2016. He was charged with second-degree assault.

The victim was transported to an area hospital, then to Columbia due to the extent of his injuries.

Officers responded to the 200 block of Commercial Way, according to the Jefferson City Police Department. Jones said he was being verbally insulted by the victim while the two were inside a bar. He said he was followed outside of the bar by the victim who continued insulting him.

As he continued to walk away, Jones said, he turned around pulling a knife from his back right pocket, hiding it behind his back. Jones said he walked back to confront the victim, concealing the knife in his right hand; and when the victim attempted to throw a punch, Jones stabbed the victim several times.

Surveillance video from the area shows Jones walking several feet away from the confrontation then abruptly turning around, walking back to the victim. The video shows Jones with his hand in his back right pocket holding onto an object Jones said was a folding knife.

When interviewed by authorities, the victim said he met Jones at the bar and had never met him before. He said he and Jones got into a verbal argument over the recent presidential election and, when they walked outside, Jones retrieved a knife and threatened him with it. He said he swung at Jones, and Jones stabbed him several times.

The victim had four stab wounds to the back, four to the left chest/side area and one stab wound to the center of his chest.

Also indicted was a Jefferson City man arrested after police were called to a burglary in progress in March.

Christopher Thompson, 37, was arrested for second-degree burglary, possession of methamphetamine and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.

Officers responded to a burglary in progress in the 800 block of Montana Street in Jefferson City, according to police reports. Witnesses said Thompson was observed going into the residence and carrying out items, loading them in the trunk of his vehicle which was parked nearby.

Shortly after officers detained Thompson, the property owner arrived and identified the items, which were located and placed back within the residence in the care of the owner.