GREENVILLE, Mo. -- A Greenville man whose murder charge recently was upgraded in connection to the November shooting death of his landlord was to appear in court today.
Joshua Lawrence Oldham was to appear before Associate Circuit Judge Randy Schuller for the setting of his preliminary hearing.
The 36-year-old now is charged with the Class A felony of first-degree murder, the unclassified felony of armed criminal action and the Class C felony of unlawful possession of a firearm.
This comes after Assistant Attorney General Christine Krug filed a second amended information in Oldham's case on Feb. 26.
The Missouri Attorney General's Office earlier had been appointed special prosecutor in the case at the request of Wayne County Prosecuting Attorney Michael Jackson.
Oldham, who originally was charged with the Class A felony of second-degree murder, is accused of causing the death of Marshall Lucas "Luke" Helm on Nov. 4 by shooting him with a handgun.
An autopsy showed the 38-year-old Silva, Mo., man had been shot three times -- once in his left arm, once in his left cheek and once in the right side, which, according to earlier reports, was the fatal wound.
Wayne County authorities learned of Helm's death after they were called to his parents' home on Highway E, about 6 1/2 miles east of Business 67 at about 6:30 p.m., Sheriff Dean Finch said earlier.
Helm, according to Deputy John England's probable-cause statement, was found lying on the ground in the driveway near the carport of the home.
Relatives, England said, reported the family was having a barbecue during which Oldham stopped by to pay Helm money he owed.
A physical altercation reportedly ensued between Oldham and Helm, and Oldham subsequently got away and ran to his vehicle.
While inside his 1998 Nissan Altima, England said, Oldham allegedly fired shots through its driver-side window, striking Helm, who fell to the ground.
After allegedly firing the shots, England said, Oldham fled the scene in his car.
Oldham's car later was stopped on Highway A near the Carter/Wayne County line, and Oldham was arrested.
In a subsequent interview with a Missouri State Highway Patrol investigator, Oldham reportedly admitted to shooting Helm.
At the time of his arrest, Oldham was a convicted felon, having previously been convicted of the felony of involuntary manslaughter in March 2002 in Jefferson County and the felony of receiving stolen property in January 2000 in Osage County.
Oldham continues to be held without bond.