Osborn, 41, was a passenger in a speeding car on Aug. 11, 2003, with four 14-year-old boys, one of whom was driving. The car ran off a road near Walnut Shade in Taney County, hit a tree and burst into flames.

Dustin Riesman and Joshua Sparling of Rockaway Beach died in the crash. Osborn and the other two boys were injured.

The prosecutor charged Osborn with two counts of second-degree murder, three counts of first-degree endangering the welfare of a child, and two counts of sexual enticement of a child. The enticement charges were for an incident in May 2003 that came to light after the wreck.

The trial was delayed because Osborn was treated and evaluated at Fulton State Hospital until he was deemed competent to stand trial. It was moved from Taney County to Wright County to try to ensure a fair outcome.

Circuit Judge John Moody convicted Osborn of all the charges except one of the enticement counts after a two-day trial without a jury, a right that Osborn waived.  Osborn could have received a prison sentence up to 132 years if Moody had given him the maximum on each conviction and made the sentences consecutive.

Merrell thinks Osborn will appeal.
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Merrell’s edited news release:

On August 11, 2003, the Missouri State Highway Patrol and Taney County Sheriff’s Department responded to a motor vehicle accident on Blansit Road, east of U.S. 160 near Walnut Shade.  Officers found a white Ford Taurus that had lost control on a gravel road, struck a tree and caught fire. Two of the occupants of the vehicle sustained fatal injuries and their bodies were still in the vehicle. They were both 14 years old.

It was later determined through investigation that Osborn was letting four boys, all age 14, drive the vehicle up and down Blansit Road while taking turns riding on the hood and in the window sill while he rode in the front. During the final trip, Osborn jerked the wheel of the vehicle being driven by one of the boys. The vehicle lost control and collided into a tree catching fire. Both the boy driving and riding on the hood survived with injuries. The two boys riding on the windowsill of the passenger window received fatal injuries.

The two boys that survived the collision later said Osborn solicited them during the period leading up to the collision for the purpose of engaging in sexual conduct by making comments of a sexual nature, requesting photographs of the boys, attempting to kiss them, and requesting sexual favor. It was also learned during the investigation that Osborn had been providing the four boys alcohol, cigarettes, and cough syrup during the summer months leading up to the collision as well as allowing them access to vehicles he possessed in order to further his purpose of engaging in sexual conduct with them.