Ozark County sheriff returns from Leckie investigation in Minnesota

wireready_10-05-2017-10-22-02_00094_investigation


Ozark County Sheriff Darrin Reed and his chief deputy have returned from a three-day trip to Minnesota where they talked with friends, relatives and acquaintances of 16-year-old Savannah Leckie, whose burned remains were found in early August on her mother’s Theodosia-area farm.

The Ozark County Times reports the two Ozark County law enforcement officers worked closely with Wright County, Minnesota Sheriff Joe Hagerty and his department, conducting interviews with several individuals.

Reed told the Times Monday he isn’t able to release any new information to the public after the visit, but continues to work on the case daily.

Leckie was born to Rebecca Ruud and a few months later was adopted by Minnesota resident Tamile Leckie-Montague and her husband at the time, David Leckie. Leckie lived in Minnesota from birth until she was 15. Last August, she moved to her biological mother’s farm in Ozark County.

On the same day Leckie’s charred remains were found on Ruud’s farm, Ruud married Robert Peat Jr.; both are now charged with Leckie’s murder.

Online court records indicate the Supreme Court of Missouri has entered an order to temporarily transfer Ruud’s case from 44th Circuit Judge Craig Carter to 37th Circuit Judge David Evans after a change of judge motion was sustained. The 37th circuit includes Carter, Howell, Oregon and Shannon counties. A motion hearing for Ruud is scheduled for October 19th in the Ozark County Courthouse.

Peat’s attorney has also filed a motion for a change of judge and change of venue; however, no action on the motion has been taken as of Tuesday. Peat is scheduled to appear before Carter November 8th at the Ozark County Courthouse.

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