Preliminary hearing date set for defendants in Taurean Snoddy murder

HANNIBAL, Mo. — The five defendants in the cases surrounding the death of Taurean Snoddy of Hannibal made an appearance in court Friday morning by video conference from the Marion County Jail.

Braden Chestnutt, 19, Chad Elliott, 20, Dakota Laster, 23 and Damien McCulley, 25, all of Hannibal, were charged Jan. 28 with charges of second-degree murder and first-degree assault. Elliott and McCulley also have been charged with tampering with a victim. Howard J. Rickey, 44, was charged with assault in the first degree and resisting arrest for a felony. 

All five cases have been set for preliminary hearings on March 13 at 1:30 p.m. 

Judge John J. Jackson presided over the cases.  State Attorney Luke Bryant was present.

Matthew Mueller, of Kansas City, Mo., appeared for Elliott and requested a bond for $25,000, requiring 10 percent. Mueller said Elliot is not working but that they would talk to his family to assist. He argued Elliott “understands the seriousness of the charges,” but he does not have prior violent convictions and has never failed to appear in court.

The requested bond for Elliot was denied.

Fredrich Cruse of Hannibal appeared with Rickey. Cruse also asked for a bond be set for Rickey because he is accused of first-degree assault and resisting arrest rather than murder. Cruse argued Rickey was found on Darr Street rather than where Snoddy was found on Lyon Street. He alleged Rickey and Snoddy were both engaged in a fight.

The bond also was denied for Rickey.

Laster’s attorney is listed as Eric Bond of Palmyra, who filed a motion to continue the hearing to Feb. 24 to set the date. Jackson said he will plan to set that date also for March 13 at 1:30 p.m. 

Matthew Radefeld of St. Louis appeared for McCulley.

Christopher Lozano from O’Fallon, Mo., listed as Chestnutt’s attorney, was not present. Chestnutt informed the judge his parents have hired another attorney who will soon file to enter the case.