23 June 2010 :

The death sentence of Travis E. Glass, 31, white, has been commuted to life in prison without parole. Callaway County Judge Kevin M. Crane finalized the judgment. The decision avoids a jury trial over punishment that was to have started next week in Callaway County. The man was 21 when authorities said he confessed to strangling 13-year-old Steffini Wilkins while in the process of kidnapping her on May 25, 2001. He was then sentenced to death (see Nov. 21, 2002 and Jan. 24, 2003), but on March 29, 2006 (see), Circuit Judge Gary Oxenhandler overturned the death sentence, ruling that the penalty phase at the original trial was not fair because Glass’ lawyer had not done a good job in calling witnesses. On April 26, 2007, the issue went before the Missouri Supreme Court. On July 6, the court voted 4-3 to grant Glass a new penalty hearing. Ralls County Prosecuting Attorney Rodney Rodenbaugh said he consulted with the family and by withdrawing the attempt to seek the death penalty this will bring closure to the case.