MARK T. BAILEY, d/o/b 10-10-1963, of Highlandville, Missouri, was sentenced to 20 (twenty) years in prison for second-degree murder on Friday afternoon, in the Circuit Court of Taney County, by Christian County Circuit Court Judge Laura Johnson. Johnson sentenced Bailey after hearing arguments from Taney County Prosecutor Jeff Merrell and from Bailey’s attorney. In addition to the 20 (twenty) years for murder in the second degree, Bailey was also sentenced to 15 (fifteen) years for kidnapping, and 7 (seven) years for felonious restraint. Pursuant to Bailey’s plea agreement, his sentences were ordered to run concurrently.
Bailey’s guilty pleas stemmed from crimes committed in November of 2015, when Bailey assisted Brandy Shaddox in purchasing zip ties at a local home improvement store; driving 72-year old Larry Adams, of Hollister, to a remote location off Highway 65 in Walnut Shade, Missouri; and leaving the victim bound in a car. Adams died of hypothermia after being abandoned by Bailey and Shaddox, and his body was discovered on November 14, 2015.
“While Mark Bailey was clearly not the most-culpable actor in causing Mr. Adams’ death, the crime would likely not have been able to be completed if not for Bailey’s cooperation with Shaddox,” said Taney County Prosecuting Attorney Jeff Merrell at the time of Bailey’s guilty plea. Brandy Shaddox faces a jury trial for the charge of first-degree murder in Lawrence County, in April. Shaddox’s trial was moved to Lawrence County on a change of venue filed by the lawyer for Shaddox.
Bailey had previously appeared before Judge Johnson on January 22, 2018, and pleaded guilty under the Alford guidelines to the three (3) felonies. By entering his guilty plea under the Alford guidelines, it means that Bailey admits that there is sufficient evidence to support him being convicted of the crimes, but he does not admit responsibility for them. As part of Bailey’s plea agreement with the Taney County Prosecuting Attorney’s office, Bailey’s potential sentence was capped at twenty (20) years in prison, and Bailey’s lawyer was permitted to argue for some sentence less than twenty (20) years at the sentencing hearing.
The class A felony of murder in the second degree carries a range of punishment of ten (10) years up to thirty (30) years or life in the Missouri Department of Corrections. The class B felony of kidnapping carries a range of punishment of five (5) to fifteen (15) years in the Missouri Department of Corrections. The class C felony of felonious restraint carries a maximum sentence of seven (7) years in the Missouri Department of Corrections and/or a fine not to exceed $5,000.00.
Brandy Shaddox is presumed innocent until or unless she is proven guilty in a court of law.