The Butler County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office is declining to file charges at this time in connection to the November death of a Qulin man. Joshua Tutor Goins was fatally shot by a local man he struggled with after being offered a ride.
“I feel terrible for the Goins’ family and express condolences for their loss, but after a thorough investigation by the Butler County Sheriff’s Department and reviewing all the evidence they provided, as well as the autopsy report provided by Dr. (Russell) Deidiker, including the toxicology report, I am declining to file charges as of this time,” said Prosecutor Kacey Proctor said.
Goins, according to Deidiker’s report, died Nov. 19 from a single gunshot wound to the chest.
The 33-year-old also had “a very high level of methamphetamine and other narcotics” in his system at the time of his death, said Butler County Coroner Andy Moore.
While there is no statute of limitations on murder, “without any further compelling evidence to the contrary, it is my belief we would be unable to convince 12 members of this community beyond a reasonable doubt that Mr. (Teddy R.) Kennedy is guilty of murder,” Proctor said.
Since there is no statute of limitations, “I would consider any evidence in the future,” Proctor said.
Authorities learned of Goins’ death when a passerby called the sheriff’s department to report a possible carjacking, with shots being fired.
Deputies responded to the scene, which was located “right in the middle of the roadway” in the northbound lane of Business 67, just north of Ozark Border.
Goins was found in the driver’s seat of a Buick Century, and Kennedy, the car’s owner, was standing at the rear of his car. A handgun and its magazine were found laying in the road.
During a subsequent interview, Kennedy reported a neighbor on County Road 4702 came to his house and told him she had told Goins to leave, but he would not.
Goins, Chief Deputy Wes Popp said earlier, was “whacked out of his head, doing weird stuff.”
The woman, he said, wanted “no part of it and told him to leave.”
Kennedy, Popp said, agreed to give Goins a ride.
During the ride into Poplar Bluff, Kennedy reported Goins “started freaking out,” Investigator Brandon Lowe said earlier. “(Goins) was digging around, under the seat, like he was looking for weapon. He’s telling (Kennedy), ‘Let me drive. I want to drive.’”
At that point, Lowe said, Kennedy stopped his car in the middle of the road, put it in park, engaged the hazard lights and dropped his keys into the driver’s side floorboard.
Lowe said Kennedy reported he got out and was standing near the open driver’s side door.
“(Goins) crawls over the middle console and gets in the driver’s seat,” Lowe explained. “Somehow, they struggle. … (Goins) is hitting him, punching him. (Kennedy) stated he got hit and it kind of dazed him. That’s when he shot the first shot.”
Goins, according to Kennedy’s statement, picked up the keys, started the car, revving the engine.
Lowe said Kennedy further reported he reached in to turn off the car and got the keys.
As he was doing so, “Goins hit him again,” knocking his glasses off, Lowe said.
That hit reportedly almost knocked Kennedy unconscious, said Lowe, who indicated Kennedy then fired a second shot.
Statements taken from three motorists, including two who saw everything from the beginning, “match exactly” with what Kennedy reported, Lowe said.