Palmyra man charged with murdering man by running over him with car pleads not guilty during arraignment

NEW LONDON, Mo. — A Palmyra man facing murder charges in a November 2023 incident was arraigned Tuesday and pled not guilty.

Randall L. Hendricks, 36, appeared in Ralls County Circuit Court with Public Defender Todd Schulze before Judge Rachel Bringer Shepherd. He entered his not guilty plea after waiving formal arraignment.

Hendricks has been charged with murder in the second degree, a Class A felony, and armed criminal action, an unclassified felony. If convicted by a jury, Hendricks faces a minimum of 10 years in prison and a maximum of 30 years or life imprisonment in the Missouri Department of Corrections on the second-degree murder charge. He faces a sentencing range of three to 15 years in prison if a jury finds him guilty of the armed criminal action charge.

A probable cause statement submitted by Missouri State Highway Patrol Trooper Barbara Littrell said Hendricks contacted NECOMM 9-1-1 dispatch at 7:55 p.m. Nov. 8 and said he had just been in a physical altercation with Matthew L. Wagner, 43, of Hannibal, at Wagner’s home. He said Wagner jumped in front of his SUV and was pinned underneath the car. Hendricks said he had been trying to use a jack to lift the car but was unsuccessful.

Ralls County deputies arrived on the scene and saw Wagner underneath the SUV parked on the driveway of a residence on Hydesburg Road. Hendricks told deputies he accidentally ran over Wagner. However, evidence at the scene indicated Hendricks drove the SUV with the purpose of causing serious injury to Wagner. The vehicle initially travelled south through the yard of the residence, drove down an embankment and came to rest in the road facing north. 

Wagner was later pronounced dead at Hannibal Regional Hospital.

Hendricks later told investigators he had been dating Wagner’s ex-wife, Jennifer Wagner, for approximately the last six years. Hendricks also said he and Matthew Wagner frequently got into verbal arguments and had a physical altercation approximately four years ago. 

If convicted, he could get anywhere from 10 years to life in prison.

Hendricks’ next appearance in court is scheduled for March 5. A date for his trial may be set at that time.

He is being held in the Marion County Jail. No bond has been set.