Two men facing murder charges appear in Associate Circuit Court

Two area men appeared in Moniteau County Circuit Court Tuesday, Aug. 16, in connection with separate cases of Class A felony murder.

Travis L. Clark, 22, California, appearing with Defense Attorney Thomas John Kirsh before Judge Peggy Richardson, waived preliminary hearing. He was bound over to Circuit Court and ordered to appear on Sept. 16.

Clark was charged June 8 in connection with a Memorial Day weekend shooting death in Tipton of Robert R. Ashbaugh III. According to the probable cause statement, the victim died from a single gunshot wound to the chest. Investigators on the scene reported that the shooting is alleged to have occurred "during horseplay involving firearm." It was later reported that the defendant said he was trying to scare the victim with a rifle when the shooting occurred. No other people were reported injured in the shooting.

Christopher C. Buxton, 30, Jamestown, appeared before Judge Richardson on a bond hearing. After discussion with Prosecuting Attorney Shayne Healea and Defense Attorney Justin Carver, no bond was set. The defendant was ordered to return Tuesday, Aug. 23, for further discussion of the possible setting of a bond.

Buxton was charged Aug. 3, following the death of his two-month-old son, on July 30. According to the affidavit, the defendant is alleged to have caused the death of the child on or about July 28, "by shaking him."