Adrian man pleads guilty to murder of stepfather

A jury trial was averted in the Bates County Circuit Court as Carter Joshua Curtis 19, of Adrian MO pleaded guilty to 2nd Degree Murder on June 5th related to the shooting of his stepfather during the late night hours on September 28, 2024.

According to information on file, Curtis allegedly shot the victim at his home and told the victim's wife "I already called 911 and had to do it." Police arrived to find the victim in the dining room with a fatal gunshot wound to the back of the head.

Following the plea, Curtis was sentenced to 20 years Missouri DOC with credit of 613 days for time served under the direction of Judge M. Brandon Baker.

The defendant was represented by Public Defender Jeffrey Martin of Harrisonville, MO.

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