Ava, MO. – It was announced recently that Howard Applegate, 28 of Ava, is currently looking at a Grand Jury Indictment for the murder of a man back in 2017.
The Sheriff of Douglas County, Chris Degase, has stated that this indictment is the result of a 6-year investigation performed in cooperation with the Christian and Webster County Sheriff’s Departments. Charges Applegate is indicted upon include 1st Degree Murder, Armed Criminal Action, Unlawful Use of a Weapon x3, Endangering the Welfare of a Child x2, and Concealing. These are all felony charges.
At the time of the indictment, Applegate was being held in the Douglas County Jail for his involvement in an assault that injured two, and put one man in a coma.
On the announcement, Sheriff Degase had this to say: “It has been a long time coming that has involved hundreds of man hours by all three departments. The close working relationship with these surrounding Sheriffs helped make this arrest possible. I know these charges will not bring Lance back but hopefully it will give Lance’s family some justice and closure.”