First-degree murder trial for former owner of Golden Corral in Quincy now set for January

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — A jury trial 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 set for January 2026.

William Christopher Niemet, 48, was arrested in February 2020 and charged with one count of first-degree murder in connection with the 1991 shooting death of 14-year-old Greg Jones in Russellville, Mo. Niemet was a classmate of Jones and was 15 years old at the time of the killing.

His jury trial now is scheduled to begin Jan. 20, 2026, in Cole County.

A trial for Niemet was set to go on trial in December 2023, but it was delayed. A handwritten document published on CaseNet said, “Due to courts unavailability and both parties’ objection, the trial of Dec. 4 (has been) cancelled.” 

A jury trial initially was set for July 2023 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, who 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 and Brian Woodward of Merrillville, Ind. Locke Thompson is prosecuting the case for Cole County, along with Miranch Loesch and Paige Wheeler.

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.