Attorney General's News Release

October 12, 2004

Jury returns three death sentences for meth dealer in murders of Dent County deputy, two others

Platte City, Mo. — A Dent County methamphetamine dealer who murdered a deputy sheriff and two other people should be executed, a Platte County jury recommended today. Earl M. Forrest II was charged with first-degree murder in the December 2002 deaths of Chief Deputy JoAnn Barnes, Harriett Smith and Michael Wells.

"The murder of Deputy Barnes reminds us of what a dangerous profession law enforcement can be," Attorney General Jay Nixon said. "The sentences of death for this meth dealer who killed her and two other people were appropriate, given the cold-blooded nature of the crimes."

The jury found Forrest guilty on all three counts of first-degree murder on Friday (Oct. 8) and then deliberated about three hours before returning the death sentence recommendations on all three murder convictions. The trial was moved to Platte County on a change of venue; Nixon's office and Dent County Prosecuting Attorney James P. Gray handled the prosecution of the case.

On Dec. 9, 2002, Deputy Barnes and Dent County Sheriff Bob Wofford were investigating reports of a double homicide near Salem when they went to the house where Forrest lived because witnesses had identified him as a suspect. Forrest began shooting at the deputy and the sheriff, fatally wounding Deputy Barnes. The sheriff, who was wounded, returned fire and wounded Forrest. Additional law enforcement officers from the sheriff's department and the Missouri State Highway Patrol arrived, and Forrest surrendered after a 35-minute standoff.

The bodies of Harriett Smith and Michael Wells were discovered in Smith's house. A large amount of methamphetamine was found in Forrest's house, and he was also charged with possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), four counts of armed criminal action, and one count of first-degree assault of a law enforcement officer.

Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).

All media inquiries should be directed to Press Secretary John Fougere.

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