A murder trial scheduled earlier this week for a Holts Summit man accused of murdering his grandmother has been postponed for further mental evaluations for a third time.
Requests have been filed for Ryan W. Koebel, 19, to have his trial postponed for him to undergo another mental evaluation before facing charges of first-degree murder, four counts armed criminal action and three counts of assault on law enforcement.
"There are still some mental health issues that need to be resolved," Callaway County Prosecuting Attorney Chris Wilson said.
Koebel was 17 when he allegedly stabbed and shot his grandmother, Karen K. Cates, to death before walking along U.S. Highway 54 brandishing a weapon in 2012. Arresting officers report that Koebel began firing at them when they approached him along the highway, leading to an officer striking Koebel with his car before arresting him.
Koebel's trial had been scheduled for May 14 before the defense and state filed a joint motion for another evaluation. Koebel underwent an evaluation in December 2013 after his defense filed intent to rely on defense by mental disease or defect, and was granted a 30-day continuance for one in March 2014.
Wilson said he believed the evaluation will take 60 days to be completed.