Christopher Durnil was sentenced in Livingston County Circuit Court this week after being found guilty July 30, 2008, for the crimes of burglary 1st degree, assault 1st degree and armed criminal action.

This stems from an incident in Chillicothe where Durnil had been charged with unlawfully entering a residence for the purpose of committing the crime of assault and used a ball bat and struck the victim on the head, causing serious physical injury to the victim, according to the Livingston County Sheriff’s Department. The bat was used with such force on striking the victim that the ball bat broke.

The body of a man found in a construction company’s utility shed southeast of Chillicothe has been identified and the cause of death was determined to be from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The investigation began June 2, when the body was discovered in a shed owned by Bentley Construction at the end of county road 249, a short distance south of U.S. Highway 36. The shed was primarily used for storage.

Livingston County Sheriff’s Department arrested Seth Alan Turbyfill, 19, of Chillicothe, Friday on a bond revocation on original charges of alleged distribution of a controlled substance near schools and possession of a controlled substance. The following day, the sheriff’s office served a felony arrest warrant on Turbyfill as well as two other subjects: Cody Michael Ireland, 18, Chula, and Jamie E. Stoner, 18, Chillicothe. Each man was charged with the alleged crimes of burglary in 1st degree, theft/stealing (property valued at more than $500 but less than $25,000) and armed criminal action, in which bond was initially placed at $50,000 cash.

On Wednesday we handled an all day jury trial in Circuit Court.  The case was State of Missouri –vs- Christopher B. Durnil.  Mr. Durnil was charged with Assault 1st Degree, Burglary 1st Degree and Armed Criminal Action. 
This stemmed from an incident in Chillicothe where a residence was entered and Mr. Durnil was believed to have used a base ball bat and struck the victim on the head causing serious physical injury.  The bat was used with such force on striking the victim that the ball bat broke.  Judge R. Brent Elliott presided over the hearing.  The case was prosecuted by Livingston County Prosecuting Attorney Michael P. Koenig.  The jury deliberated a minimal amount of time and returned guilty verdicts on all 3 charges.
 Witnesses for the prosecution included the victim, Durnil’s mother, Sgt. John Valbracht of the Chillicothe Police, Sgt. Shawn Skoglund of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Livingston County Deputy Sheriff Michael Claypole and Sheriff Steve Cox. Durnil was the only witness for the defense.

On the evening of July 29th we investigated a report of animal abuse at a location on Liv 312.  The named suspect allegedly used a hand axe to injure or kill an adult female dog and some of her puppies.  The suspect was reported to have hidden the animals.  Sheriff Cox was assisted by the Missouri State Highway Patrol and located the badly injured female dog, which was subsequently put down. 
The suspect and other persons allegedly fled the area prior to officer’s arrival.  At least one of the person who fled is a fugitive from Jackson and Cass Counties.  Information will be submitted to Livingston County Prosecuting Attorney for consideration of charges.

The Livingston County Sheriff’s Department is requesting information from the public to help locate a fugitive from Missouri Probation and Parole. 
William J. Bowling, w/m, 39, is currently on probation/parole for child sex offense conviction.  This stems from an original investigation our office conducted in the Ludlow area. Bowling has a 15 year sentence and has absconded from Probation/Parole and law enforcement.  Mr. Bowling is believed to remain in our area. 
 Bowling considers himself to be a survivalist and authorities say he should be considered dangerous and possibly armed.  Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Bowling are urged to call the sheriff’s department at 660-646-0515. Authorities urge residents not to approach Bowling, but contact law enforcement