ELIZABETH OLTEN - Aged 9 years - St. Martins, Missouri (USA)

KWMU

28 September 2010

State appeals court rejects education request for teenager charged with murder

http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/kwmu/news.newsmain/article/1/0/1706093/St..Louis.Public.Radio.News/State.appeals.court.rejects.education.request.for.teenager.charged.with.murder

Connect Midmissouri

6th October 2010

Update: Supreme Court dismisses petition, lawyers can re-file

The Missouri Supreme Court dismissed a petition from Alyssa Bustamante’s lawyers, but only because it did not name the right people.

The attorneys are still seeking a court order for educational services for their jailed client.

Cole County Sheriff Greg White filed a response Wednesday indicating he is not a legal party to the case and thus cannot be compelled to act.

The Supreme Court rejected the Bustamante petition without prejudice, which means the lawyers can re-file once the appropriate county respondents are identified.

Attorneys for teen murder suspect, Alyssa Bustamante, filed a response to suggestions made by the attorney general and Cole County sheriff.

After the question of whether Bustamante could continue her education while still in jail was raised, it was taken all the way up to the Missouri Supreme Court.

Attorney General Chris Koster filed a suggestion with the court saying Bustamante has a right to an education.

Cole County Sheriff Greg White filed a suggestion with the court saying the county doesn’t have the funds to educate Bustamante.

Bustamante’s attorneys said the question posed to the Missouri Supreme Court is not how Bustamante’s education should be funded, but rather if it is her constitutional right to get an education.

The filed suggestion continues to say that the court should ignore White’s suggestion because is it off topic from the real issue.

Officials in Cole County said they should not be forced to educate a 16-year-old accused of killing her young neighbor while the teen awaits trial.

Attorneys for Alyssa Bustamante have asked the state Supreme Court to order Cole County Sheriff Greg White to continue the teen's education while in jail. Bustamante is charged as an adult with first-degree murder in the October 2009 death of 9-year-old Elizabeth Olten near Jefferson City.

The Cole County Commission filed a brief Tuesday arguing it would be unconstitutional to order the county to cover Bustamante's education unless the state provided funding. The sheriff asked separately for permission to submit his own argument.

The Missouri attorney general has said that juveniles in jail awaiting trial should continue to be educated.

Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster has weighed-in on the question of whether teenage murder suspect Alyssa Bustamante has the right to schooling while in jail.

Koster said "yes", those awaiting trial that are of school age do have a constitutional right to an education.

The Missouri Supreme Court asked for Koster's opinion after Bustamante’s attorneys asked the court to allow the 16-year-old to enroll in a distance learning program from jail to complete her high school degree.

Cole County Judge Pat Joyce has twice denied the request and the Missouri Western District Court also rejected the request.

In Koster's opinion, he writes that just because Bustamante has been certified to stand trial as an adult, does not make her an adult in other considerations.

However, Cole County Prosecutor Mark Richardson said in the response that Bustamante has been certified as an adult and is not in custody of the state because minors are in someone’s custody, not adults.

Cole County Sheriff Greg White has argued in court that it is not his department's job to further a prisoner's education.

Bustamante is being tried as an adult on charges of first degree murder in the Fall 2009 death of 9-year-old Elizabeth Olten.

A prosecutor said a central Missouri teenager facing an adult murder charge should not qualify to receive a free education in jail.

Cole County Prosecutor Mark Richardson responded to last week’s Missouri Supreme Court petition that was filed by Alyssa Bustamante’s defense attorneys.

Bustamante’s lawyer’s filed a petition with the Supreme Court to override the Cole County court decision to let Bustamante continue her high school education.

Richardson said in the response that Bustamante has been certified as an adult and is not in custody of the state because minors are in someone’s custody, not adults.

Richardson also said in the response that under the Safe School Act, after Bustamante was charged with first degree murder, she cannot be enrolled in a public school.

Richardson echoes Cole County Sheriff Greg White in the response saying that it is not White’s job to provide Bustatmante with an education.

Original Story:

Lawyers for teen murder suspect, Alyssa Bustamante, filed a petition with the Missouri Supreme Court to override a Cole County court decision.

Cole County Judge Pat Joyce denied a request to let Bustamante continue her education while awaiting trial, twice.

Bustamante’s attorneys appealed the decision to the Western District Court of Appeals a week later. After considering written requests, the court of appeals upheld Judge Joyce’s decision.

Bustamante’s attorneys argued that Bustamante has a right under the Missouri Constitution to continue her education. Her attorneys argue that the custodian of the minor, Cole County Sheriff Greg White, should provide Bustamante with an education.

White said it’s not his job to educate suspects awaiting trial.

Cole County Prosecutor Mark Richardson said that Bustamante should be treated like any other person awaiting trial.

Bustamante's attorney wants the Supreme Court to order authorities to provide an education.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday set an Oct. 12 deadline for the state to respond in opposition.

Bustamante is charged with the first degree murder of 9-year-old Elizabeth Olten.

http://www.connectmidmissouri.com/news/story.aspx?id=522064

St. Louis Public Radio

7th October 2010

Jailed Mo. teen takes education request to the state Supreme Court

JEFFERSON CITY, MO (St. Louis Public Radio) - A 16-year-old Missouri girl charged with killing her 9-year-old neighbor has asked the Missouri Supreme Court to allow her to continue her education while she's in jail.

In briefs filed with the state's highest court, attorneys for Alyssa Bustamente argued that state law entitles any child to a free education. They Bustamente to be able to access distance-learning classes.

Cole County has argued that Bustamente can access the GED courses available to any other inmate. Two lower courts have agreed with Cole County's position.

Bustamente will be tried for first-degree murder as an adult for the October 2009 slaying of Elizabeth Olten, who lived near Bustamente in a small town outside Jefferson City.

http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/kwmu/news.newsmain/article/1/0/1710049/St..Louis.Public.Radio.News/Jailed.Mo..teen.takes.education.request.to.the.state.Supreme.Court

Columbia Daily Tribune

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Prosecutor: Teen not qualified for school

JEFFERSON CITY (AP) — A prosecutor says a Central Missouri teenager facing an adult murder charge should not qualify to receive a free education in jail.

Attorneys for 16-year-old Alysssa Bustamante want the Missouri Supreme Court to direct authorities to provide her access to school materials while she awaits trial for the slaying of 9-year-old Elizabeth Olten.

Bustamante was 15 at the time of the October 2009 killing near Jefferson City. She has pleaded not guilty.

Cole County Prosecutor Mark Richardson filed Supreme Court papers yesterday saying Bustamante no longer is a juvenile because she has been certified to stand trial as an adult. He also cited a law saying children facing adult criminal charges cannot be enrolled in public school.

http://www.columbiatribune.com/news/2010/oct/13/prosecutor-teen-not-qualified-for-school/

Ozarks First

18th October 2010

Followup: Koster Says Bustamante Has Right To Education

(Jefferson City, MO) -- Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster has weighed-in on the question of whether teenage murder suspect Alyssa Bustamante has the right to schooling while in jail.

Koster said "yes", those awaiting trial that are of school age do have a constitutional right to an education.

The Missouri Supreme Court asked for Koster's opinion after Bustamante's attorneys asked the court to allow the 16-year-old to enroll in a distance learning program from jail to complete her high school degree.

Cole County Judge Pat Joyce has twice denied the request and the Missouri Western District Court also rejected the request.

In Koster's opinion, he writes that just because Bustamante has been certified to stand trial as an adult, does not make her an adult in other considerations.

However, Cole County Prosecutor Mark Richardson said in the response that Bustamante has been certified as an adult and is not in custody of the state because minors are in someone's custody, not adults.

Cole County Sheriff Greg White has argued in court that it is not his department's job to further a prisoner's education.

Bustamante is being tried as an adult on charges of first degree murder in the Fall 2009 death of 9-year-old Elizabeth Olten.

http://ozarksfirst.com/fulltext?nxd_id=341926

KMOV

19th October 2010

Missouri teen murder suspect wants personal items back

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Attorneys for a 16-year-old teen accused of killing a neighbor girl want prosecutors to return letters, cards and other personal property.

Alyssa Bustamante is charged as an adult with first-degree murder in the October 2009 death of 9-year-old Elizabeth Olten near Jefferson City. Prosecutors say Bustamante told police she wanted to know what it felt like to kill someone. She has pleaded not guilty.

Bustamante's lawyers asked Tuesday that letters, cards and notes be given to a family member so they do not appear in public or on the Internet. The clothing was requested for court appearances.

Cole County Prosecutor Mark Richardson said investigators still are reviewing the items to determine if they contain evidence.

http://www.kmov.com/news/local/Missouri-teen-murder-suspect-wants-personal-items-back-105273978.html

Connect Midmissouri

19.10.2010

by Kermit Miller

Defense: Return Bustamante's items;
Prosecution: It's Evidence

Attorneys for a teenage murder suspect asked a judge to order the return her personal property.

The day after 9-year-old Elizabeth Olten was found dead; Cole County authorities bagged and tagged various personal items from the St. Martins home of Alyssa Bustamante.

Now, Bustamante's lawyers want it back.

With Alyssa Bustamante's attorneys participating by telephone, Cole County Judge Pat Joyce asked about the documents, photos, and clothing taken from the teenager’s home in St. Martins last fall.

"Your honor, the state's not in a position to release that property at this time,” Cole County Prosecutor Mark Richardson said. “It's quite a large number of documents, letters, cards and notes that were taken either as pursuant to a search warrant or a permission to search. And it will take more time to go through those. But, at this point, we are not able to release them and I am not able to say that they are not something that could be relevant to our evidence, so I'm not at this time able to agree to release any of those items they requested.”

The teenager's lawyers appear concerned that, if left in the court file, the items could end up on public display on the internet.

"In the event that the state determines that some of this is of evidentiary value, we would certainly want copies provided through discovery for things that they believe are relevant to the case,” Bustamante's Attorney Don Catlett said. “Otherwise, we're asking that they be released.”

Joyce wants the prosecutor to be ready to identify all items needed for evidence and to return everything else by the next pre-trial hearing scheduled for Dec. 2.

Bustamante is scheduled for trial for the murder of Elizabeth Olten for May 2011.

Elizabeth's family plans to hold a first anniversary memorial service on Friday.

http://www.connectmidmissouri.com/news/story.aspx?id=528171

Forbes.com

19.10.10

County: No education for Mo. teen murder suspect

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Officials in central Missouri say they should not be forced to educate a 16-year-old girl awaiting trial for allegedly killing her young neighbor.

Attorneys for Alyssa Bustamante have asked the state Supreme Court to order the Cole County sheriff to continue the teen's education while in jail. Bustamante is charged as an adult with first-degree murder in the October 2009 death of 9-year-old Elizabeth Olten near Jefferson City.

The Cole County Commission filed a brief Tuesday arguing it would be unconstitutional to order the county to cover Bustamante's education unless the state provides funding. The sheriff asked separately for permission to submit his own argument.

The Missouri attorney general has said juveniles in jail should receive education.

http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2010/10/19/general-us-missouri-girl-slain-education_8027138.html?boxes=Homepagebusinessnews

Connect Midmissouri

Thursaday, 21st October 2010

Update: Family, friends honor murder victim at memorial

Thursday marked the one year anniversary of Elizabeth's death. It was a somber event at Jefferson City's Concord Baptist Church. Elizabeth's mom took the stage and gave a tearful speech. Family members wore pink t-shirts that said "our precious angel". Dozens of supporters filed in throughout the serivce, at one point everyone joined hands and gathered in front of the sanctuary for a prayer.

A family spokesperson told us, the day was all about Elizabeth, "I'm afraid that she will be forgotten, and we don't want that, we want to remember her. We want to remember the little girl with the smile at that play that was a happy normal child. That was important to our world, that's gone, and we don't want her forgotten an and that's what matters to us. And this is paying tribute to her memory and who she was."

More than a 100 people came to the public memorial service the family of 9-year-old murder victim Elizabeth Olten held at the Concord Baptist Church.

The family said the event Thursday was all about Elizabeth.

Elizabeth’s family wore pink t-shirts that had a picture of Elizabeth with the words “Precious Angel” on them.

Original Story:

Thursday marks the first anniversary of the murder of 9 year-old Elizabeth Olten of St. Martins.

Her family is holding a public memorial service.

A candlelight prayer vigil will start at 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 21 at Concord Baptist Church, 3724 West Truman Blvd. in Jefferson City.

The gathering will then move to Hawthorne Cemetery at 4205 Hwy 50 West for a balloon release.

http://www.connectmidmissouri.com/news/story.aspx?id=529055

KOMU.com

22-10-10

Family, Friends Remember Elizabeth Olten 1 Year Later

COLUMBIA - Family and friends remembered the life of deceased St. Martins 9-year-old Elizabeth Olten Thursday afternoon.

The ceremony started at 5 p.m at Concord Baptist Church in Jefferson City.

The ceremony was a simple service consisting of prayer and stories about Olten.

Then, at 5:30 p.m., the family went to a nearby cemetery to release balloons in her honor. Olten went missing one year ago today.

Teenager Alyssa Bustamante is charged with her murder. She has pleaded not guilty.

Concord Baptist Church Senior Pastor Monte Shinkle said before the ceremony it would be an emotional time for the family.

"We just want to remember her for the great little girl that she was and the life that she lived so we might be able to comfort this family as they continue to walk through this," Shinkle said.

Shinkle said the Olten family originally intended for the ceremony to be a private one for family and friends. However, it changed its mind after hearing community interest.

"Initially, it started as family and close friends, but obviously other people have learned about it and the family is not going to turn away others who just want to be a part of it," Shinkle said.

http://www.komu.com/KOMU/d7e2017e-80ce-18b5-00fa-0004d8d229cb/d0025382-80ce-18b5-0040-80507239b56a.html

Courthouse News Service

Monday, October 25, 2010

Young Murder Suspect's Request Rebuffed

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (CN) - The Missouri Supreme Court will not get involved in deciding whether a 16-year-old girl accused of murder can continue her education while awaiting trial - for now. The court dismissed a request from Alyssa Bustamante's attorneys, but said the motion could be refiled.

Bustamante is charged as an adult in the killing of her 9-year-old neighbor, Elizabeth Olten. Prosecutors say Bustamante killed Olten because she wanted to know what it felt like to kill somebody. Bustamante has pleaded not guilty.

It is the fourth time Bustamante has been rejected in her quest to complete her high school course work while she's jailed awaiting trial.

Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster filed a brief with the state Supreme Court this month, supporting Bustamante's request. But Cole County Sheriff Greg White said that Bustamante has the same access to GED programs as adult inmates.

http://www.courthousenews.com/2010/10/25/31318.htm

Missouri.net

October 29, 2010

by Bob Priddy

Father of murder victim going to prison

A central Missouri man with a previous felony record has been sentenced to almost 20 years in prison for illegally possessing firearms; 29 of them. Dale Scott Olten Senior of Russellville will not be eligible for parole. Olten admits 17 of the weapons had been stolen.

His son was sentenced to three years in prison earlier this year for possessing stolen firearms. The daughter of Olten Senior, Elizabeth, is the nine year old girl who was murdered last year. A 16-year-old neighbor is charged with her killing.

http://www.missourinet.com/2010/10/29/father-of-murder-victim-going-to-prison/

News Tribune

Friday, October 29, 2010

Olten sentenced on weapons charges
Convicted felon pleaded guilty to possessing 29 firearms

Dale Scott Olten Sr. will spend almost all of the next two decades serving a federal prison sentence for possessing firearms illegally.

The Russellville man was sentenced Thursday by U.S. District Judge Nanette K. Laughrey to 19 years and seven months in federal prison, without parole.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for Western Missouri noted in a news release that Olten was sentenced as a career offender, due to his prior felony convictions.

Olten, 47, pleaded guilty on Feb. 12 to being a felon in possession of a firearm, and to possessing stolen firearms. He admitted he was in possession of 29 rifles, shotguns and handguns on Feb. 27, 2009.

The firearms were discovered when law enforcement officers, investigating a series of burglaries, executed a search warrant at Olten’s residence.

Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition, and Olten has prior felony convictions for burglary, resisting arrest, stealing and receiving stolen property.

Olten also admitted that 17 of those firearms had been stolen.

The news release noted the case was investigated by four Mid-Missouri sheriff’s departments — in Cole, Moniteau, Miller and Moniteau counties — as well as by the Missouri Probation and Parole Division and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

He still faces other state charges, in cases transferred from Cole County to Phelps County. No trial dates have been set.

Olten was in prison on a state drug conviction when his 9-year-old daughter, Elizabeth, was killed in October 2009 near Jefferson City.

Alyssa Bustamante, who was 15 at the time, was charged as an adult with first-degree murder in the death of her young neighbor. Bustamante has pleaded not guilty and faces trial next May.

http://www.newstribune.com/news/2010/oct/29/olten-sentenced-weapons-charges/

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

2 December 2010

JEFFERSON CITY> Teen murder suspect wants cards, clothes back

Attorneys for a central Missouri teenager accused of killing a 9-year-old neighbor girl say authorities seized birthday and Christmas cards received from the teen's father, as well as eight large bags of her clothes.

Cole County Judge Patricia Joyce on Thursday gave the prosecutor's office 60 days to inventory, copy and determine which items it needs for evidence so the rest can be returned to Alyssa Bustamante. She also denied a defense request to be present during some DNA testing.

Bustamante was 15 years old when she was charged with killing her neighbor, Elizabeth Olten, in October 2009. Police say Bustamante told them she wanted to know what it felt like to kill someone. Bustamante has pleaded not guilty. Her trial is set for May 16.

http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/b4272cea-fea0-11df-8663-00127992bc8b.html

Jefferson City News Tribune

18 February 2011

Bustamante Trial Rescheduled‎

The trial for a St. Martins teenager accused of killing a nine-year-old neighbor has been rescheduled for June 1.

According to court records, Cole County Presiding Judge Pat Joyce ordered the delay following a meeting with prosecutors and defense attorneys, Thursday.

Alyssa Bustamante, 17, is charged with first-degree murder in the death of Elizabeth Olten in Oct. 2009.

Her trial had been scheduled for May 16.

http://www.newstribune.com/news/2011/feb/18/bustamante-trial-rescheduled/

KY3

19 February 2011

Trial date for Missouri teen accused of killing girl is delayed‎

..... In addition to the trial delay, the judge closed upcoming court hearings to all but a handful of people.

http://articles.ky3.com/2011-02-19/trial-date_28612756

Connect Missouri

11.03.2011

by Ladd Egan

Bustamante's defense prepares for murder trial

JEFFERSON CITY -- Defense attorneys for teenage murder suspect Alyssa Bustamante released more information Friday about their preparations for trial.

Bustamante, 17, is charged with 1st degree murder in the stabbing and strangulation death of her 9-year-old neighbor Elizabeth Olten.

Bustamante's defense team has disclosed to the prosecution its list of witnesses who could be called to testify during the trial. Public Defender Donald Catlett said the list could be added to and declined to say how many witnesses are on the list.

To view a copy of the defense's court filing, click HERE.

The defense team also told prosecutors it has 11 extra pieces of evidence that could include books, papers, photographs and other objects that could be introduced at trial.

This is evidence that was not included in the prosecution's discovery. The defense team has invited to prosecution to inspect, test, copy or photograph the evidence.

Depositions are scheduled March 16th in the case. The prosecution has asked Highway Patrol Investigator David Rice and Tobie Meyer of the Prenger Family Center in Jefferson City to testify.

Bustamante spent time at the Prenger Center in the fall of 2009 after she was arrested for murder.

The trial is scheduled for June in Cole County with a jury being brought in from Springfield.

http://www.connectmidmissouri.com/news/story.aspx?id=591777

Jefferson City News Tribune

19 April 2011

Trial for Bustamante moved back‎

The trial date in the Alyssa Bustamante case has been moved back.

According to court records, Cole County Presiding Judge Pat Joyce continued the case to Sept. 13.

This after prosecutors argued against the move.

June 1 had been the date for jurors to start being selected.

The jury will still come from Greene County and be brought up to Cole County to hear the case.

It’s believed the trial could last up to ten days.

Bustamante is charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action in the killing of nine-year-old Elizabeth Olten in Oct. 2009.

http://www.newstribune.com/news/2011/apr/13/trial-bustamante-moved-back/

Daily Journal

13 April 2011

Trial delayed until September for Missouri teenager charged with killing neighbor girl

The trial of a central Missouri teenager charged with killing a young neighbor has been delayed until September.

Seventeen-year-old Alyssa Bustamante had been scheduled for trial June 1 on a charge of murdering 9-year-old Elizabeth Olten in rural Cole County.

A judge rescheduled the trial Wednesday for Sept. 13 at the request of defense lawyers, who said they needed more time to prepare. Prosecutors had opposed the delay.

Bustamante was 15 when she was charged as an adult with murder in the November 2009 killing. She and Elizabeth lived a few houses apart in a small town west of Jefferson City.

Bustamante has pleaded not guilty, and her attorneys have sought to suppress an incriminating statement she gave to police.

http://www.dailyjournal.net/view/story/d8946c7a01ce400da486626bb76a1582/MO--Missouri-Girl-Slain/

Albany Times Union

15 June 2011

Bustamante lawyers seek new jail for teen
‎
Lawyers for a central Missouri teenager charged with killing a young neighbor want the teen moved from the Morgan County jail.

Seventeen-year-old Alyssa Bustamante has been scheduled for trial Sept. 13 on a charge of murdering 9-year-old Elizabeth Olten in rural Cole County. She has pleaded not guilty.

Bustamante was 15 when she was charged as an adult with murder in the November 2009 killing. She and Elizabeth lived a few houses apart in a small town west of Jefferson City.

The Jefferson City News-Tribune reported that public defenders Donald Catlett and Charles Moreland filed a motion Monday, seeking a hearing to have Bustamante moved for "testing."

It was unclear what type of testing they were seeking.

http://www.timesunion.com/news/article/Bustamante-lawyers-seek-new-jail-for-teen-1424698.php

Missourinet

23 June 2011

Bustamante admission to murder suppressed

A decision’s been handed down in Cole County Court that will suppress evidence in the murder case against Alyssa Bustamante, the teenager accused of killing 9-year-old Elizabeth Olten outside of Jefferson City.

That evidence could include an admission of guilt in the crime.

Judge Pat Joyce has sustained a motion by Bustamante’s lawyers that Juvenile Officer Tobie Meyer acted inappropriately during the questioning period immediately after Olten’s body was found. Bustamante allegedly showed detectives where the body was buried in a heavily wooded area.

The court order states that Meyer disregarded the legal requirement that she not participate in the questioning.

“Despite the custodial setting, statements made to Detective David Rice by the defendant could still have been admissible but for the actions of the juvenile officer,” the order states. “Ms. Meyer engaged actively in the questioning and made numbers statements to defendant despite the fact that she knew the defendant was the suspect in the murder of Elizabeth Olten.”

The court order goes on to say that “Meyer used deceptive tactics during the interrogation,” including telling Bustamante she was there as her advocate, likely misleading her “into believing that Ms. Meyer was there to look after her best interests when she encouraged defendant repeatedly to tell the truth.”

Meyer also reportedly told Bustamante that “the Juvenile Court’s only focus is ‘treatment’ thereby implying that the defendant would receive treatment for her criminal behavior instead of an adult criminal sentence.

Judge Joyce has ordered that all statements made after page 71, line 14, of the transcript of the video statement are inadmissible in court and are suppressed.

http://www.missourinet.com/2011/06/22/bustamante-admission-to-murder-suppressed/

Fulton Sun

23 June 2011

Olten family: Bustamante confession gone ‎

Elizabeth Olten’s family “is devastated over the loss of the confession,” spokeswoman Pam Cafourek said Wednesday, one day after Cole County Presiding Circuit Judge Patricia Joyce suppressed some evidence in the state’s case against Alyssa Bustamante.

Bustamante is charged with first-degree murder in the October 2009 death of Olten, who was a 9-year-old neighbor girl.

Joyce identified Tobie Meyer as the juvenile officer present during Bustamante’s questioning by a Highway Patrol investigator, then said near the end of her two-page order: “Ms. Meyer’s participation in the interrogation of defendant went far beyond her statutory role as juvenile officer, which is limited to observation and protection of the juvenile’s rights.”

Joyce prohibited the prosecution from using “all statements made after Transcript of Video Statement page 71, line 14,” a document that, so far, has not been released.

That’s where the confession was recorded, Olten’s family said.

Nevertheless, Cafourek stated, Olten’s family feels “the prosecution still has a very strong case” to make in a trial against Bustamante, now scheduled to begin Sept. 13 with jury selection in Greene County.

http://www.fultonsun.com/news/2011/jun/23/olten-family-bustamante-confession-gone/

The Fulton Sun

23 August 2011

Bustamante trial delayed again

The trial for a teenager accused of killing a 9 year-old neighbor in October 2009 has been delayed again, and won’t be held until next year.

During a motion hearing before Cole County Presiding Circuit Judge Pat Joyce Tuesday morning, Prosecutor Mark Richardson said his office had evidence in the case against Alyssa Bustamante, 17, that still needed to be tested.

Richardson said it would take six weeks for the testing to be completed and because that testing had not started yet, there was no way his office would be ready for the scheduled Sept. 13 start of the trial.

Bustamanate’s lawyers, Donald Catlett and Charles Moreland of the state Public Defender system’s capital division, acknowledged they also would have to look over this evidence and, therefore, would need time to accomplish that.

Judge Joyce said that, in checking with Greene County, where the jury will be selected and then brought to Cole County to hear the case, it appeared that a Jan. 10-11 jury selection could take place and, immediately afterwards, the jurors would be brought to Cole County for the trial.

http://www.fultonsun.com/news/2011/aug/23/bustamante-trial-delayed-again/

Houston Chronicle

23 August 2011

Murder trial delayed for Missouri teenager
‎
The murder trial of a Missouri teen accused of killing her 9-year-old neighbor was delayed Tuesday until early next year.

http://www.chron.com/news/article/Murder-trial-delayed-for-Missouri-teenager-2137267.php

Herald Sun

10 January 0212

Missouri teen Alyssa Bustamante pleads guilty to murdering neighbour‎

A MISSOURI teenager who told authorities she wanted to know what it felt like to kill has pleaded guilty to murder.

She told a judge she strangled her nine-year-old neighbour with her hands, stabbed her in the chest and cut her throat with a knife.

Alyssa Bustamante pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and armed criminal action in the October 21, 2009, killing of Elizabeth Olten in St Martins, a rural town just west of Jefferson City. The plea avoids a trial that had been scheduled to start later this month.

At yesterday's hearing, Bustamante looked down, her long brown hair covering her eyes, as the judge read out the amended charges and asked her if she understood she was giving up her right to a trial. She replied, "yes''.

Cole County Circuit Judge Patricia Joyce then asked Bustamante to describe what she did.

"I strangled her and stabbed her in the chest,'' Bustamante said in a clear voice, looking straight at the judge.

"Did you cut her throat too?'' the judge asked.

"Yes," Bustamante responded.

Bustamante, who is to turn 18 on January 28, was 15 at the time of the slaying and lived just a few homes down the road from Elizabeth. She told the judge on Tuesday that she knew what she was doing when she strangled Elizabeth with her hands and used a knife to attack her.

Upon hearing that confession, Elizabeth's mother Patty Preiss - who was sitting in the courtroom just a few feet away - took a deep breath and dabbed her eyes with a tissue.

Preiss wore a purple shirt with her daughter's picture and the words Justice for Elizabeth. She left the courthouse without talking to the media.

Prosecutor Mark Richardson declined to comment after Tuesday's hearing, noting the case is ongoing.

The judge set a February 6 sentencing hearing. Bustamante would have faced life in prison without parole if convicted of first-degree murder. But by pleading guilty to a reduced murder charge, Bustamante could eventually being released. The punishment for second-degree murder ranges from 10-30 years in prison or life with the possibility of parole. The judge said the armed criminal action charge is punishable by three years up to life in prison.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/world/missouri-teen-alyssa-bustamante-pleads-guilty-to-murdering-neighbour/story-e6frf7lf-1226241469950