Fitzwater Now Charged With First Degree Murder

Friday, Randolph County Prosecuting Attorney Stephanie Luntsford filed an amended charge of first degree murder against 79-year-old Jerry Fitzwater of Moberly. Fitzwater was originally charged with assault, armed criminal action, and unlawful use of a weapon before 49-year-old Mitchell Nickerson of Moberly died. Luntsford says the details in the original probable cause statement could make the investigation go more quickly.

Moberly Police found Nickerson with a bullet hole near his temple along East Burkhart last Thursday evening. Fitzwater told police he shot Nickerson because he believed Nickerson was a drug dealer who had sold drugs to children. Fitzwater admitted to firing two rounds, hitting Nickerson with the second.

Fitzwater is being held at the Randolph County Jail without bond, until a bond review hearing next Wednesday.