David Lee Throckmorton appeared in court via video-conference Tuesday morning from the Buchanan County Jail. He told Judge Rebecca Spencer that a jury found him not-guilty of these charges in Texas.
Prosecutors insist they’re not the same charges. They acknowledge that a panel in Texas found Mr Throckmorton not guilty on multiple criminal counts, and there was a mistrial on one count. Officials say Mr Throckmorton was released by mistake by officials in Texas.
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Kate Schaefer says when they interviewed the victim in St Joseph, she disclosed multiple unlawful actions by the defendant, which she said happened here and in Texas. The defendant was in Texas at the time. The case was referred to authorities in Texas, who filed their own case.
Ms Schaefer filed a motion to increase the bail in the case, or deny bail altogether. A judge two years ago set bail at $25,000 in the Missouri case. Ms Schaefer told Judge Spencer that Mr Throckmorton’s only ties to St Joseph are these charges, and the fact that the victim still lives here.
That’s when the defendant interrupted the proceedings. “There’s no victim in this case,” he said. “Only a liar.”
Judge Spencer scolded Mr Throckmorton, urging him to “have a little respect.”
“No,” he said, “there is no respect. I’m gone.” And, with that, he handed the telephone receiver back to the jailer handling first appearances and disappeared out of camera range.
That’s when Judge Spencer thanked the defendant and agreed with prosecutors to deny bail.
Mr Throckmorton is scheduled for a preliminary hearing September 29 at 11am. He is charged with first-degree statutory sodomy with a victim under 14 years old. According to court documents, Throckmorton abused the victim by touching her genital area with his hand in a series of incidents through December 2008.