Court hearing held for suspect charged in Kaniah Jennings case
FOX23 News at 9 p.m.
PEMISCOT COUNTY, Mo., (KBSI) — One of the men charged in connection with the death of 18-year-old Kaniah Jennings appeared in court Thursday as multiple suspects in the case prepare for upcoming arraignments.
Antonio Branch Jr., 20, appeared before a Pemiscot County judge at 10 a.m. Dec. 18. According to online court records, a judge found probable cause during the hearing and scheduled another court appearance for Jan. 6. Branch is charged with tampering with physical evidence in a felony prosecution and is being held in the Pemiscot County Jail without bond.
Investigators allege Branch helped Keenan Peoples, who is charged with Jennings’ murder, burn items believed to belong to Jennings and Peoples.
Keenan Peoples, 34, of Hayti, is charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping, rape and tampering with evidence.
Blake Patrick, 18, of East Prairie, is charged as an accessory to first-degree murder, along with kidnapping and rape. A bond hearing for Patrick is also scheduled Thursday.
Donald F. Peoples Jr., 38, of Hayti, faces charges of first-degree murder and tampering with evidence and is also set for a bond hearing.
Jennings, of Portageville, was reported missing earlier this year. Her body was later found in rural Pemiscot County following a multi-day search and investigation.
