Missouri man convicted of killing 2 women, 2 children

ST. CHARLES, Mo. — Jurors convicted a St. Louis man of homicide Friday within the 2018 capturing of his girlfriend, her two youngsters and her mom.

A St. Charles County jury deliberated lower than two hours earlier than discovering Richard Darren Emery, 50, responsible of 4 counts of first-degree homicide. Sentencing is scheduled for Saturday. Prosecutors are searching for the demise penalty, the St. Louis Publish-Dispatch reported.

Emery was accused of killing Ok ate Kasten, 39, throughout a Dec. 28, 2018 capturing.

Prosecutors mentioned Emery shot her after she informed him to go away whereas the couple argued. He then kicked in a door to a bed room the place Kasten’s mom, Jane Moeckel, 61, had barricaded herself along with her grandchildren, Zoe, 8, and Jonathan, 10, and shot every of them at shut vary, police mentioned.

Officers shot Emery twice throughout an ensuing chase earlier than he stabbed a lady whereas attempting unsuccessfully to steal her automotive. He was later arrested whereas hiding in a rest room at a comfort retailer.

Emery’s attorneys argued he suffered from a psychological sickness that prevented him from consciously committing the crime. They sought a second-degree homicide conviction, which might keep away from a demise sentence.