Charges Filed Against Monroe City Residents

Court documents are giving more details in the arrests of two Monroe City residents for their alleged involvement in the death of 32-year-old Amanda K. Johnston of Monroe City. Her body was found in Pike County Saturday morning. The documents say 29-year-old Jerry B. Asbell, Jr., convinced her to drive to the St. Jude Cemetery early the morning of August 5th, where he shot her with a semi-automatic handgun, and that 37-year-old Jessica M. Ellsworth helped mover her body, clean the inside of her vehicle, and throw clothes in a dumpster. Asbell faces charges of first degree murder and armed criminal action; Ellsworth faces a charge of tampering with evidence.