14-02-2025
Employment of David Spears causes committee to refuse agency's budget requests
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — The committee responsible for funding the Missouri State Public Defender's Office met Thursday (2/13) and after a contentious hearing — refused to hear the agency's budget requests over an employment dispute.
The issue is the employment of David Spears by the Missouri Public Defender's Office.
Spears, who pleaded guilty to playing a role in the rape and murder of his step-daughter Rowan Ford, first went to work for the Missouri Public Defender's office in 2016 — not long after being released from prison.
He's currently employed in the agency's West Plains office.
We first learned about his employment last December, while covering the execution of Christopher Collings.
Collings was convicted of the rape and murder of Spears's nine-year-old step-daughter, Rowan Ford.
Based on our investigation, the commission that oversees the Missouri Public Defender's Offices statewide, recently made a change to its hiring policy.
Southwest Missouri Representatives, Dirk Deaton and Lane Roberts not only asked for the policy change, they demanded the Missouri Public Defender's Office fire David Spears.
During Thursday's hearing (2/13), state representatives repeatedly questioned Director Mary Fox about Spears' continued employment — expressing outrage.
'You don't want to fire him, fine, just say it, which this, you know, is clearly trying to obfuscate, I think, which I found not particularly helpful, and I'll leave it at that,' said State Representative Deaton.
'We just talked about justice and stuff in the 'State of the State,' we talk about protecting children every year. We're wrong for this, and I'm not going to be culpable of it. Forty-thousand dollars a year ain't enough to go to hell over, Mr. Chairman, I'm going to stop, because I don't want to use profanities. Thank you for your time. It's a no for me,' said State Representative, Raychel Proudie.
'This is the most ridiculous presentation we've heard. It's embarrassing, actually. So, before I say something that I should not, as a member of 163 people, the sub-committee that controls this budget, a member of budget, I'm a no. I'm not interested in hearing it until this is addressed,' said State Representative, Jeff Vernetti
Deaton ended the hearing by requesting the Missouri Public Defender's Office speak to the Missouri State Attorney General's office about ending Spears' employment.
No action was taken on the budget request for the Missouri Public Defender's Office.
We'll tell you why the House Budget Committee is tying funding for the Missouri Public Defender's Office to Spears' employment, Friday (2/14).
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