Hailey Owens trial gets third judge in nine days

The man accused of kidnapping and killing 10-year-old Hailey Owens last February has a new judge assigned to his murder case, just nine days after the case changed judges the first time.

Craig Wood, 47, is charged with first-degree murder, rape, sodomy, child kidnapping and armed criminal action. The judge originally assigned to the case, Dan Conklin, recused himself from the case on May 26.

Conklin, who is set to retire in July, said he wanted to keep the case until it passed to his successor but was concerned the change could slow down the process.

The case was then sent to Judge David Jones, and a pre-trial conference was set for June 10.

On June 4, Thomas Jacquinot, one of Wood’s attorneys, filed a motion for change of judge, to be sustained without a hearing.

Jones sustained the motion Friday afternoon, and the case was assigned to Judge Thomas Mountjoy, the presiding judge of the 31st Judicial Circuit. The pre-trial conference date of June 10 was vacated, and a new date has yet to be decided.

Messages left with Jacquinot’s office were not returned by press time.

In the state of Missouri, the prosecution or defense can each apply for a change of judge, without giving any reason for the application, a single time.

If filed either 60 days from service of process or 30 days from the designation of the trial judge, the request must be honored.

The prosecution or defense can each apply for a change of judge again, but they must give cause for the second application.