By Brian Burnes
The Kansas City Star
December 14, 2010
http://www.kansascity.com/2010/12/13/2518104/arraignment-postponed-for-former.html
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| David Love (left), who is accused murdering Randy Stone, arrived Monday at the Jackson County Court Annex in Independence, where his arraignment was postponed. |
David Love’s arraignment on a first-degree murder charge was postponed Monday for the second time.
The former pastor of an Independence church is accused of killing former church member Randy Stone, 42, an insurance salesman and a father of two. Stone was found shot to death March 31 in his Noland Road office.
Love, 50, told Judge Jeffrey Bushur on Monday that he still had not retained a lawyer. At Love’s initial appearance on Dec. 2, Bushur had granted a continuance when Love requested time to find an attorney.
This time, Bushur asked that an application be processed for Love to be represented by a public defender. After a public defender representative told Bushur that Love appeared to qualify, Bushur continued Love’s arraignment to Jan. 10.
Later Monday, a public defender official confirmed that Love does qualify for services. The system’s screening process examines a variety of conditions, including the defendant’s ability to hire his own lawyer, said Leon Munday, assistant district defender for the Missouri State Public Defender System.
Munday said he expected an attorney to be assigned to Love’s case today.
Prosecutors and police have not released details of what led them to suspect Love as Stone’s killer, but Stone’s relatives have pointed to a long-term love affair Love had with Stone’s wife.
Earlier this month, Bushur told Love that the court considered him “a risk for flight,” so he would be held without bond. Love returned to court Monday wearing the orange shirt and pants given to inmates at the county detention center.
Love delivered part of the eulogy at Stone’s memorial service in April.
Later that month, as part of the homicide investigation, Independence police searched New Hope Baptist Church at 18000 E. Lexington Road. Stone had driven a bus for the church.
Love resigned as pastor shortly thereafter. He soon moved to South Carolina, where he was working as a truck driver.
Authorities arrested Love last month after a Jackson County grand jury indicted him on charges of first-degree murder and armed criminal action.
To reach Brian Burnes call 816-234-4120 or send e-mail to bburnes@kcstar.com
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