Over A Year Later, Two Suspects In Murder Face Trials

Two of the three suspects in the March 2021 death of Mark Palmer are facing trials.

Scott Shook, 29, Steelville, and Julie Brooks, 47, Cuba, could go to trial later this year.

Shook, whose case has been moved to Dent County, has until May 6 to plead guilty. 

He is scheduled to appear before Judge Megan Seay at 1:30 p.m. 

His trial has been set for June 27 through July 1.

Brooks has until Sept. 14 to plead guilty. Her trial is scheduled for Dec. 19-23.

Another suspect, Marcus Dothage, 41, Steelville, appeared in court April 18. He is due back July 

All three suspects are charged with first-degree murder, armed criminal action, arson and kidnapping.

Palmer, 40, was reported missing March 17, 2021. His body was discovered March 30 near the Crooked Creek conservation access.

His body was covered with a black cloth, buried underneath logs and rocks. His killer or killers bound him with duct tape around his ankles, torso and wrists.

Palmer, who had allegedly been bludgeoned to death with a hatchet, had his home set on fire seconds after being kidnapped.

A plastic bag was wrapped around Palmer’s head, secured by a small metal wire.

Authorities were able to identify the trio as suspects because Palmer’s brother said Shook and Brooks had been at the residence hours before his death.

Video surveillance of the fire showed a vehicle consistent with Brooks’ leaving.

Approximately 30 seconds after the vehicle drove off, the house went up in flames.

Location data on Brooks and Shook’s phones showed them near Crooked Creek around 5:12 a.m.

Brooks said she had been at Palmer’s residence with Shook and Dothage. An altercation ensued and she went out to the car.

Dothage came out and got into the vehicle.

Shortly after that, Shook emerged from the home with Palmer and they went to Crooked Creek.

Brooks said that Shook took Palmer into a wooded area. Fifteen to 20 minutes later, Shook came back alone.

Brooks told authorities that Shook was angry about Palmer allegedly sleeping with his estranged wife. She also claimed that Palmer told Shook he had raped two girls.

Shook also allegedly told Brooks that if she said anything, she would wind up dead, just like Palmer.

Dothage allegedly told Brooks that Shook had struck Palmer in the head with a hatchet.