First-degree murder trial for former owner of Golden Corral in Quincy delayed again

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — A jury trial scheduled for December for the former owner of the Golden Corral at 3908 Broadway in Quincy, Ill., accused of killing a classmate more than 30 years ago, is delayed again.

William Christopher Niemet, 46, was arrested in February 2020 and charged with one count of first-degree murder in connection with the 1991 shooting death of Greg Jones in Russellville, Mo.

The jury trial was set for 9 a.m. Monday, Dec. 4 at the Cole County Circuit Court. However, a handwritten document published Friday on CaseNet said, “Due to courts unavailability and both parties’ objection, the trial of Dec. 4 (has been) cancelled. Case set (for) Dec. 13 at 10:30 a.m. for re-setting of the trial date in 2024.” 

A jury trial initially was set for July but was then delayed. The defense moved to continue the trial date after there were delays on the defense’s scientific testing, according to Casenet.

Police said new technology led to the arrest of Niemet. Prosecutors say Niemet, who was 15 at the time, shot and killed Jones, a 14-year-old classmate. Niemet posted a $1 million cash bond in September 2020 and was released from the Cole County Jail. 

Niemet’s attorneys are Curtis Hanrahan and William Nacy of Jefferson City. Locke Thompson is prosecuting the case for Cole County.

The Jefferson City News Tribune reported that authorities said Jones’ decomposed body was found June 8, 1991, near a branch of the Moreau River near Russellville. That ended a search which began after Jones’ parents called authorities when their son was two hours late for supper April 24, 1991. An autopsy found Jones was shot twice in the head.

Niemet was arrested on June 14, 1991. However, the prosecutor eventually dropped the case, and Niemet was released.

The News Tribune said the Cole County Sheriff’s Department’s probable cause statement filed when Niemet was charged does not indicate a motive and does not indicate the gun used in the killing was recovered. It notes ammunition recovered at Niemet’s residence matched the type of rounds recovered in Jones’ skull.

The probable cause statement also states deputies interviewed several witnesses who claim “Niemet claimed responsibility for the murder of Greg Jones, with three witnesses reporting Niemet told them about the murder.”

Niemet opened the Golden Corral during the summer of 2016. The restaurant was closed shortly after Niemet’s arrest and since has been converted into a plasma collection center.