Trial For Accused Murderer Set To Begin Sept. 19

One of the three people accused of murdering a Steelville man in March 2021 is heading to trial this fall.

Scott Shook, 30, Steelville, will be tried for first-degree murder, armed criminal action, kidnapping and arson beginning Monday, Sept. 19 in Dent County.

Judge Megan Seay will preside over the trial. 

Shook, Julie Brooks and Marcus Dothage are accused of killing Mark Palmer and burning his house down in March 2021.

Palmer’s body was found March 30, 2021 near the Crooked Creek conservation access. He had first been reported missing 13 days earlier.

Shook appeared in court May 6. 

Crawford County Prosecuting Attorney David Smith filed a motion for a continuance, which was sustained over the objection of Shook and his attorney, Kelly Parker.

The case was removed from a scheduled jury trial June 27 through July 1 and reset for Sept. 19-23.

The court will use Saturday, Sept. 24 as the sixth of the trial, if necessary.