KARA KOPETSKY & JESSICA RUNIONS: Missouri vs. Kylr Yust for 2007 murder of Kopetsky & 2016 murder of Runions *GUILTY*

According to documents filed Monday in Cass County Circuit Court, Oklahoma-based DNA Solutions must be allowed to access skeletal remains for both Kara Kopetsky and Jessica Runions, whose remains were found in rural Cass County in 2017.

Documents also say DNA Solutions must be allowed to test hair recovered from a white SUV in 2013.

All testing must be done at the DNA Solutions lab in Oklahoma, according to the documents. The evidence must be returned to the Jackson County Medical Examiner’s Office and Belton Police Department by April 30.

Kylr Yust attorneys granted motion to retest some evidence

Attorneys for Kylr Yust were granted a motion to retest some physical evidence ahead of his double murder trial in Cass County, set to begin in July.

www.kshb.com

Jury selection for the trial is set to begin on July 22. Jurors will be brought in from St. Charles County, which is just outside of St. Louis. Once the jury is set, the trial will begin the following Monday.

Judge sets trial date for accused killer Kylr Yust

CASS COUNTY, Mo. — On Thursday Cass County judge officially set a trial date for accused killer Kylr Yust. Jury selection for the trial is set to begin on July 22. Jurors will be brought in from S…

fox4kc.com

 

[GrandmaBear]

Not surprising. He was 100% going to appeal.

They all do pretty much. They also all pretty much plead not guilty these days too even when they have them dead to rights.

 

[Guess Who]

They all do pretty much. They also all pretty much plead not guilty these days too even when they have them dead to rights.

What do they or the attorneys have to lose? Throwing spaghetti at the wall is what it is. I can pretty guarantee he will go through all the appeals that he is allowed until they are exhausted.

What I didn't realize until seeing the parents is that the girls' remains have not been released yet to them. That broke my heart for them.

 

[GrandmaBear]

What do they or the attorneys have to lose? Throwing spaghetti at the wall is what it is. I can pretty guarantee he will go through all the appeals that he is allowed until they are exhausted.

What I didn't realize until seeing the parents is that the girls' remains have not been released yet to them. That broke my heart for them.

I know of this one but not as well as I am up on some. That's awful. I can relate but we have ours but can tell you when it was an issue it was the worst thing EVER on top of tall of the other bad things. The remains I mean.

They don't have anything to lose and that's certainly it but I almost feel there is a new thing of defense attorneys telling them not to plead, let's plead not guilty, nothing to lose, tie up the courts, milk it dry, etc. I just feel like there used to be more cases where maybe the attorney told their client, they likely have you, guilty verdict is likely and let's get some consideration for you by your giving them some info, make a deal and you plead guilty, etc. It just seems now where no one pleads guilty, even a rare one and gets it done. It is like it is the new way of things and that there isn't a defense atty or public defender out there that says this is what we've got and is your best bet. and does their job. I think they know the system is a mess, is backed up and just back it up more, delay it more, and then when they need to do something of course they aren't prepared and it is an excuse. That always has been somewhat present, don't get me wrong but nowadays it is like one can count on it. Never even a rare defendant that just pleads guilty and says I did it, I have remorse, what is the best deal you can give me if I plead? Well maybe VERY rarely.

 

[Guess Who]

I know of this one but not as well as I am up on some. That's awful. I can relate but we have ours but can tell you when it was an issue it was the worst thing EVER on top of tall of the other bad things. The remains I mean.

They don't have anything to lose and that's certainly it but I almost feel there is a new thing of defense attorneys telling them not to plead, let's plead not guilty, nothing to lose, tie up the courts, milk it dry, etc. I just feel like there used to be more cases where maybe the attorney told their client, they likely have you, guilty verdict is likely and let's get some consideration for you by your giving them some info, make a deal and you plead guilty, etc. It just seems now where no one pleads guilty, even a rare one and gets it done. It is like it is the new way of things and that there isn't a defense atty or public defender out there that says this is what we've got and is your best bet. and does their job. I think they know the system is a mess, is backed up and just back it up more, delay it more, and then when they need to do something of course they aren't prepared and it is an excuse. That always has been somewhat present, don't get me wrong but nowadays it is like one can count on it. Never even a rare defendant that just pleads guilty and says I did it, I have remorse, what is the best deal you can give me if I plead? Well maybe VERY rarely.

Because a defense attorney knows it only takes one juror to doubt the state's case. I think it's really just that simple of an explanation, plus the attorney gets way more billable hours taking it to court.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Because a defense attorney knows it only takes one juror to doubt the state's case. I think it's really just that simple of an explanation, plus the attorney gets way more billable hours taking it to court.

I think it is the billable hours even if a public defender, just plead not guilty, put it on the back burner, address it when they have to most of the time, etc. I do feel though that there used to on occasion be a few defendants that just pled guilty and made the best deal they could and were advised to. It doesn't seem to be the case any more and yeah, I think due to billable hours.

It takes only one juror but that still isn't an acquittal. I guess I can see it but I'm just surprised a defendant or two don't just get to the point of saying they are tired of being in limbo and the unknown forever, let's just get it over with already. Not all of course but we see basically NONE these days. And that leads me to believe defense attorneys are never advising it is their best course. And if they gave up the location of say a child's body and were forthcoming from the beginning but for a deal, then why aren't we seeing that on occasion.... It is NEVER basically.

 

[Guess Who]

I think it is the billable hours even if a public defender, just plead not guilty, put it on the back burner, address it when they have to most of the time, etc. I do feel though that there used to on occasion be a few defendants that just pled guilty and made the best deal they could and were advised to. It doesn't seem to be the case any more and yeah, I think due to billable hours.

It takes only one juror but that still isn't an acquittal. I guess I can see it but I'm just surprised a defendant or two don't just get to the point of saying they are tired of being in limbo and the unknown forever, let's just get it over with already. Not all of course but we see basically NONE these days. And that leads me to believe defense attorneys are never advising it is their best course. And if they gave up the location of say a child's body and were forthcoming from the beginning but for a deal, then why aren't we seeing that on occasion.... It is NEVER basically.

One juror can make for a mistrial and then the state has to make a decision whether its worth it to retry or not More billable hours for the attorney and more time and possible freedom bought for the defendant. Yes, public defenders get paid for time and expenses. Its not as much as most private practice, but its income. I am seeing no reason for them to plead guilty and throw all the spaghetti at the wall unless there is a lot more stuff the defendant doesn't want made public that might come it in court.

 

[GrandmaBear]

One juror can make for a mistrial and then the state has to make a decision whether its worth it to retry or not More billable hours for the attorney and more time and possible freedom bought for the defendant. Yes, public defenders get paid for time and expenses. Its not as much as most private practice, but its income. I am seeing no reason for them to plead guilty and throw all the spaghetti at the wall unless there is a lot more stuff the defendant doesn't want made public that might come it in court.

Yeah and I know or guess most murderers don't have a conscience where they'd insist on pleading guilty and take what is coming to them. We did used to see it once in awhile. Patterson pled guilty in Closs, that's one example. Wasn't that many years ago. That little girl was it Lily, oh my that one hurt, it was her uncle I think, watched them find her body almost in real time on the scanner at JT. Not "watch" but hear I guess more so. These are just a few years ago and cases where they have them so dead to rights on life sentences, etc. and so they plead. Now it seems we see NONE.

Imo an ethical attorney wouldn't be about billable hours and their responsibility would be to tell their client of how slim their chances are of winning if going to trial based on the evidence if that is the case. Seems NONE do that any longer. You won't get any argument from me however that most are about money and billable hours as I don't think much of most attorneys. I have seen SOME good district attorneys, not so much others...

 

[Guess Who]

Yeah and I know or guess most murderers don't have a conscience where they'd insist on pleading guilty and take what is coming to them. We did used to see it once in awhile. Patterson pled guilty in Closs, that's one example. Wasn't that many years ago. That little girl was it Lily, oh my that one hurt, it was her uncle I think, watched them find her body almost in real time on the scanner at JT. Not "watch" but hear I guess more so. These are just a few years ago and cases where they have them so dead to rights on life sentences, etc. and so they plead. Now it seems we see NONE.

Imo an ethical attorney wouldn't be about billable hours and their responsibility would be to tell their client of how slim their chances are of winning if going to trial based on the evidence if that is the case. Seems NONE do that any longer. You won't get any argument from me however that most are about money and billable hours as I don't think much of most attorneys. I have seen SOME good district attorneys, not so much others...

District attorneys are typically salary.

 

[Mel70]

Yeah and I know or guess most murderers don't have a conscience where they'd insist on pleading guilty and take what is coming to them. We did used to see it once in awhile. Patterson pled guilty in Closs, that's one example. Wasn't that many years ago. That little girl was it Lily, oh my that one hurt, it was her uncle I think, watched them find her body almost in real time on the scanner at JT. Not "watch" but hear I guess more so. These are just a few years ago and cases where they have them so dead to rights on life sentences, etc. and so they plead. Now it seems we see NONE.

Imo an ethical attorney wouldn't be about billable hours and their responsibility would be to tell their client of how slim their chances are of winning if going to trial based on the evidence if that is the case. Seems NONE do that any longer. You won't get any argument from me however that most are about money and billable hours as I don't think much of most attorneys. I have seen SOME good district attorneys, not so much others...

What I see from defense attorneys is them coming up with every excuse why their client isn't guilty.

 

[GrandmaBear]

District attorneys are typically salary.

I know. Just saying I've seen SOME good ones that truly care. Not all for sure but SOME. And they have less reason as to $$, maybe they do have a reason as to votes but when they go all out in the lesser known cases, I'd say it isn't the reason. Same with cops. Go all out to hand a case to the next level but then watch it turn into a deal, etc. and have no say in it. There are a FEW good ones. Seen a lot of bad though too.

Defense attorneys not so much. Personally I think you have to be a bit unconscionable to be one to begin with.

NO bias here Lol.

 

[Guess Who]

They actually have more reason as to $$ because they are on the opposite end of the spectrum since they have to minimize expenses for the state/county. Trying cases is only an expense. Defending is where the income is.

 

[Mel70]

I know. Just saying I've seen SOME good ones that truly care. Not all for sure but SOME. And they have less reason as to $$, maybe they do have a reason as to votes but when they go all out in the lesser known cases, I'd say it isn't the reason. Same with cops. Go all out to hand a case to the next level but then watch it turn into a deal, etc. and have no say in it. There are a FEW good ones. Seen a lot of bad though too.

Defense attorneys not so much. Personally I think you have to be a bit unconscionable to be one to begin with.

NO bias here Lol.

I agree. I don't like most defense attorneys. Alot of them with their B.S. Ridiculous explanations and reasons why their clients didn't do it. When they obviously did. And if not that. Excuses for their clients behavior.

 

[GrandmaBear]

They actually have more reason as to $$ because they are on the opposite end of the spectrum since they have to minimize expenses for the state/county. Trying cases is only an expense. Defending is where the income is.

In the majority of cases, both are paid by the state as are the expenses. I'd say it is a rare defendant who pays out of pocket a private atttorney to defend and most wouldn't make it very long in cases drawn out forever by defense attorneys before running out of money. The state also does not have to pay for experts and the defense asks for state money to do so (in the case of public defenders), also for private investigators and other things. It truly is a warped system when one really thinks about it and ripe for issues. What am I talking of, it isn't ripe, there are already tons of issues. I know, I know, best system in the world we have always been told, but these days, I'm not as sold on it and what is going on in it is downright out of control. I guess it is better than those who stone people, etc. but it is the defendant with rights, victims are screwed and people are almost getting immune to seeing murderers being released from prison. I'm thoroughly disgusted every day with the failures. I'm happy to see a jury get it right and convict in a case deserving of it but then not long later the thought is, yeah except some politician will let them out at some point, because life is no longer life, etc. I could go on and on and on and sidetrack further but I'll stop. I'm so tired.

 

[kdg411]

Missouri Court of Appeals upholds Kylr Yust's convictions in deaths of Kara Kopetsky, Jessica Runions

The Missouri Court of Appeals Western District has upheld the May 2021 murder and manslaughter convictions of Kylr Yust.

www.kmbc.com

Yust discussed six points on the appeal, according to the court.

However, they found no error and affirmed the decision:

Yust brings six points on appeal. First, Yust argues that the trial court erred in excluding the testimony of two witnesses, Billy Bayes and Joseph Stauch, who offered alternate perpetrator evidence as to who killed K.K. In his second and third points, Yust argues that the trial court erred in excluding both a surveillance video and testimony relating to the surveillance video that Yust argues supports another alternate perpetrator theory as to who killed both K.K. and J.R. In his fourth and sixth points, Yust argues that the trial court erred in admitting evidence of his prior bad acts, which he argues is inadmissible. Finally, in his fifth point, Yust argues that the State failed to present evidence sufficient for the jury to find beyond a reasonable doubt that he knowingly killed J.R.