Cole County judge won’t preside over JCMO murder trial

The judge in a Jefferson City murder trial has recused himself from the case.

Judge Cotton Walker stepped away from the murder case involving Sergio Sayles. No new judge has been announced.

Sayles is charged with first-degree murder, and other crimes in the death of his child’s mother.

Cole County Prosecutor Locke Thompson says he will seek the death penalty. Sayles is charged with stabbing Jasmine King to death in April.