Life sentence in Callaway County murder case

Dale Lee Horton
Dale Lee Horton

A Columbia man has been sentenced to life in prison for pleading guilty to killing two family members in April 2016 in Callaway County.

Dale Lee Horton, 36, was charged with two counts of first-degree murder for killing his mother, Sherry Horton, and his brother-in-law, Joshua Griffith.

According to the probable cause statement from the Callaway County Sheriff's Office, Horton admitted shooting his mother and Griffith at her home in rural Callaway County. Horton also placed his then girlfriend, Jennifer Grayson, 28, also from Colubmia, at the scene.

The couple was later arrested at a hotel in Columbia, and a 9mm handgun said to be used in the murders was recovered.

Grayson is still facing two counts of first-degree murder and one count each of first-degree assault and first-degree burglary in this case. Her next court appearance is scheduled for November.