St. Robert woman says justice wasn’t served in mother’s death

ST. ROBERT, Mo. — In Kimsha Rosensteel’s restaurant which she’s run since 2015, it’s apparent family is one of her largest influences.

There’s even a branch screwed onto the wall symbolizing a literal family tree with photos of her family throughout time next to each limb.

However, the largest of three photos-turned-posters on her wall, watching over her, is a portrait of her mother Minerva Williamson.

“My mother was the inspiration for this restaurant. She is the one that advocated for me, pushed me, made me bring our family recipes and utilize them,” Rosensteel said.

Williamson was killed in a crash on January 18, 2023.

When her mother would be one advocating for her, now Rosensteel is advocating for Williamson.

Her outrage stems from the punishment handed down by Judge John Beger against Kennard Jackson.

Jackson pleaded guilty to second-degree involuntary manslaughter for his role in the fatal crash, and the judge sentenced him to five years probation.

“It’s a slap in the face and a kick to the stomach because my mother was just taking my father to the doctor that day and the individual admitted in his plea that he ran the red light and he killed her,” Rosensteel said. “Now he’s able to walk away free.”

Since Jackson received a Suspended Imposition of Sentence, the conviction will go off his record if he successfully completes probation.

“[It’s] as if he never did anything. We are not only crushed from the death of our mother, but also crushed by the injustice of this as well,” Rosensteel said. “It’s a slap in the face.”

It’s a reminder she relives every day, as the intersection Williamson’s crash happened at—Route Z and Missouri Avenue—is one of the most popular intersections in the city, and one Rosensteel tries to avoid if she can.

“I have to go through this intersection. It’s an everyday thing. It’s the center of town here, and I see it every day,” Rosensteel said.

Rosensteel said through it all, community support has been apparent and felt.

“This community wrapped around us and just wrapped us up with warmth and love and comfort,” Rosensteel said. “They were there. They were willing to pay my rent here, even my landlord, they assist with a lot of things.”

Calls were made to Judge John Beger’s office and the Pulaski County Prosecuting attorney but OzarksFirst was told they were not in their offices Thursday.

Because those calls went unreturned, it’s unclear why Jackson was given five years of probation for a crime that traditionally carries a possible sentence up to four years behind bars.

Some factors Judge Beger could have considered were a lack of a criminal history, declining health and his advanced age, with the fact that there have been no accusations of intoxication.

In the plea agreement, Jackson is expected to pay back $13,000 to the courts, but that doesn’t move Rosensteel one bit.

“[My mother] is missing from my family and that [13,000], you know, her life was worth more than that,” Rosensteel said. “If you have conditions like that, then you don’t need to be on the road if you can cause havoc like this.”

This isn’t the only tragedy that befell Rosensteel this year.

Days after Williamson’s passing, family members from Texas were traveling to St. Robert for Williamson’s funeral. They were involved in a fatal crash caused by a man charged with drunk driving.

Rosensteel said the work done in Greene County assures her that she’ll have justice in that case.

“Those individuals keep us in the loop. There’s always Zoom calls, there’s always emails. They ask you as a family, what is it that you want me to do and they do it,” Rosensteel said.

Rosensteel took her frustrations to social media, knowing they wouldn’t bring Williamson back, but hopes to inspire some change to the legal system.

“I want my mother, her memory, to be cherished. [She’s] just not another number,” Rosensteel said. “This could have been your mother. Your sister. Your brother.”

Rosensteel is continuing her pursuit for what she believes will be just, by taking Jackson to civil court.

“I’ll get some blowback because I have a business and I’m speaking out,” Rosensteel said. “My mom always taught me to stand up for what you stand for what’s right. I’m standing out for my mother and I’m standing up for the injustice and just the verdict that was sent down.”

The case involving the fatal crash of her relatives in Greene County is expected to go to trial in April 2025.

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