West Plains, MO. – The first of two men charged with the murder of a Birch Tree woman during a burglary in April 2020 will stand trial in February.
The trial of Joseph Proffer will begin on February 21, 2023 at the Phelps County Courthouse in Rolla on the charges of 2nd Degree Murder, 2nd Degree Arson, Abandonment of a Corpse, Stealing $750 or more, and 1st Degree Burglary.
Proffer and Stanley Kenaga were charged with the Murder of Barbara Lynn, 77 of Birch Tree, when the pair attempted to rob Lynn’s home after learning she had roughly $20,000 at her residence. After breaking into the home, Lynn confronted the men and Proffer beat and strangled Lynn to death then set fire to the residence.
The body of Lynn was discovered in the hallway of the house when firefighters responded to the burning home.
Kenaga’s trial is scheduled to begin on September 11, 2023 at the Howell County Courthouse in West Plains. Kenaga is charged with 1st Degree Murder, 1st Degree Burglary, 2nd Degree Arson, Stealing $750 or more, and Abandonment of a Corpse.
