Jerry Asbell, Jr., 31, entered a guilty plea to the charge of murder in the second degree for the shooting death of Amanda Johnston, 32, on August 5, 2020.
Judge Jason Lamb sentenced him …
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Jerry Asbell, Jr., 31, entered a guilty plea to the charge of murder in the second degree for the shooting death of Amanda Johnston, 32, on August 5, 2020.
Judge Jason Lamb sentenced him to 30 years in prison. Judge Lamb advised the defendant he must serve 85 percent of the sentence before being eligible for parole.
The case had been moved to Warren County on a change of venue.
Jessica Ellsworth, 39, still faces charges of tampering with evidence for her role in the crime.
Prosecuting Attorney Volkert, read the following description of events to the court:
“The defendant went to the home of Amanda Johnston, in Monroe City. The defendant arrived on foot with his girlfriend, Jessica Ellsworth. The defendant asked Amanda for a ride to the local cemetery. The defendant provided Amanda with cash and some methamphetamine. Amanda then drove the defendant and Ellsworth to the cemetery. After she had parked, the defendant pointed a loaded handgun at Amanda. He pulled the trigger twice,
shooting her once in the head.
“The defendant moved Amanda’s body from the driver’s seat into the rear of the vehicle. The defendant and Ellsworth returned to Amanda’s trailer where they ransacked her home and took various items of value. Amanda’s body was dumped in a remote area outside of Frankford. The defendant and Ellsworth cleaned the vehicle before abandoning it. Amanda’s mother reported her missing on August 5 and the Northeast Missouri Major Case Squad was activated. Amanda’s body was located on August 8, 2020, and the defendant was arrested that day.”
The Missouri Attorney General’s Office assisted in the prosecution. The investigation was led by the
Missouri State Highway Patrol, Division of Drug and Crime Control, Troop B.
The following agencies assisted in the investigation: Monroe City Police Department, Monroe County Sheriff’s
Office, Audrain County Sheriff’s Office, Lewis County Sheriff’s Office, Macon Police Department, Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Moberly Police Department, NEMO Drug Task Force, Pike County Sheriff’s Office, Shelbina Police Department and the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office.
