Photos: Joey Marcak (right), Kyla Croney (top left) and Levi Gunter
The most severe punishment allowed by Missouri law is being sought for one of three suspects in a double homicide in West Plains. According to Missouri Case Net, Howell County Prosecuting Attorney Michael Hutchings filed a notice of intent May 27 to seek the death penalty against 31-year-old Joey Marcak of West Plains, and his bond was revoked two days later.
Marcak, 34-year-old Kyla R. Croney of Viola and 37-year-old Levi Daniel Gunter of West Plains are each facing two counts of first-degree murder, three counts of armed criminal action and one count of first-degree attempted robbery. Gunter is also facing an additional count of armed criminal action and first-degree attempted robbery. The suspects were arrested May 7, two days after the bodies of 30-year-old Richard L. Kuntz of West Plains and 28-year-old Frankie L. Ziegler of Mountain View, Missouri, were located in a vehicle, dead of apparent gunshot wounds.
West Plains Police Chief Stephen Monticelli says in a statement Croney implicated herself and Gunter in the crime after being arrested.
Court documents submitted to prosecutors show Gunter allegedly named a third suspect he said fired at the victims with a shotgun, after they were lured to the scene of the crime under the pretense of a drug deal.
Prior to the incident, the third suspect, later identified as Marcak had reportedly told Croney and Gunter the victims had stolen a car and money from him.
Gunter allegedly told police the third suspect got out of the vehicle when they got to the location, hid in the bushes with a shotgun until the victims arrived, then fired four or five shots into the vehicle.
Marcak and Croney have both entered not guilty pleas to all charges. Gunter has yet to enter a plea. Marcak and Gunter have another court date set for Tuesday.
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