Trial starts for man accused of murdering his wife

by Chad Plein, KY3 News

Trial starts for man accused of murdering his wife
» 2 Comments

By Gene Hartley

WAYNESVILLE, Mo. -- Neldon Neal hid from law enforcement in a log in the Mark Twain National Forest for several weeks last year. A year after his capture, his second-degree murder case has gone to trial.

Opening statements and the beginning of testimony was Monday in Pulaski County Circuit Court. Neal is charged for the shooting death of his estranged wife, Judy Lewis, at the couple’s home near Roby in Texas County. Neal fled after the shooting.

Prosecutors called a few witnesses on Monday, including Marsha Sumrall, the victim's ex-daughter-in-law.

Sumrall told her view of what happened March 13, 2007. Police reports say Neal was drinking most of the day before confronting Judy Lewis of an affair.

The argument turned physical. Hoping to protect Lewis and her daughter, Sumrall found a gun.

"What happened?" Texas County Prosecutor Mike Anderson asked.

"It wouldn't work," Sumrall answered.

"You were trying to shoot neldon neal?"

"Yes, sir," Sumrall said. "Because he was trying to kill my mom."

"At that point Neldon leaves the room," Anderson said, "and comes back in with another gun?"

"Yes, sir," Sumrall answered.

Sumrall says Neal chased her out of of the mobile home with the gun. Lewis tried to stop him, and that's when one of the guns fired.

"He turned around and shot her in her heart," Sumrall cried.

The defense spent most of the day questioning Sumrall's testimony by showing inconsistencies.

Following Sumrall's testimony, the defense asked for mistrial. They claimed Sumrall showed a picture of Lewis to the defense table. The question from the judge was did any of the jurors in the box see this picture, this picture that was not state's evidence.

But Neal learned he would stand trial. Despite 8 of the 14 jurors admitting to seeing the picture.

The defense tried to dispute the distance between Neal and Lewis. Neal told officers that there was a struggle over the gun and it just went off.

Neal has already been found guilty in federal court as a felon in possession of a firearm. He recently started serving the 17-year prison sentence for that. Before the shooting, he was on parole for robbery, false imprisonment and unlawful use of a weapon at the time of the shooting.

The murder trial was moved here from Houston to try to ensure a fair outcome. A jury from Moniteau County is hearing the case. If Neal is convicted, he could get a life (30-year) prison sentence.

Wednesday, Nov 26 at 9:47 AM Anonymous wrote ...

Just another few days and we will find out if we are going to have to keep supporting this KILLER I can't wait til he has to face the lord and finally get what he really deserves an eternity in hell--I LOVE YOU JUDY --YOU WERE THE BEST FRIEND ANYONE COULD HAVE ASKED FOR--i so wanted to get you away from him----

Tuesday, Nov 4 at 1:20 AM shithead wrote ...

that isnt what should happen to him he should be shot the same way. why should they have to feed him for the rest of his life.when you take a life with a gun you should faces being shot the same way.

Add a comment

Name:

Comment: 500 Characters Left

Comments are screened for curse words and other inappropriate comments, and won't appear until they're reviewed. However, this is not the place to leave a message for someone in the newsroom. If you wish to contact KY3 News, please do so at our Contact Us section (http://www.ky3.com/about/contact).

KY3 and its affiliated companies are not responsible for the content of comments posted or for anything arising out of use of the above comments or other interaction among the users. We reserve the right to screen, refuse to post, remove or edit user-generated content at any time and for any or no reason in our absolute and sole discretion without prior notice, although we have no duty to do so or to monitor any Public Forum.

Please post comments in upper and lower case typing.

More Weather

On Demand

Stock Quotes

This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.

AP Video