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New Madrid County jury convicts Dunklin County man of double homicide
NEW MADRID, Mo. – A Dunklin County man was convicted of two counts of first degree murder during a jury trial in New Madrid County.
William “Josh” Carter was found guilty after the jury deliberated for just 36 minutes.
The verdict stems from an incident in June of 2016 when Carter intentionally struck his estranged wife, Heather Carter, and her friend, Aaron Campbell, with his SUV, killing them.
The dispute began after an argument when Carter struck his wife’s SUV with his vehicle and drove off in Kennett, Mo. While Heather Carter was on the phone with the 9-1-1 dispatcher, she saw her husband accelerating towards them from the corner.
Carter struck both victims, sending Heather Carter flying through the air while running over Campbell.
Campbell, who received multiple fractures and had his spinal column severed from his skull, died at the scene under Carter’s vehicle. Heather Carter died at the hospital from internal bleeding due to multiple liver lacerations.
The case was tried in New Madrid County on a change of venue from Dunklin County. Assistant Attorney General Christine Krug tried the case with assistance from Assistant Attorney General Caleb Aponte, investigator Haley Porter and victim advocate Carrie Boessen. Assistant Attorney General Erin Kirsch assisted in pre-trial matters.
The case was investigated by the Kennett Police Department, the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Dunklin County Sheriff’s Department.
Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 4.