Lawyers and family call for “the absolute truth” to come out in Mischelle Lawless murder case

BENTON, Mo., (KBSI) – Monday morning, another twist in the unsolved murder of Mischelle Lawless.

Leon Lamb, her former boyfriend is behind bars in the Cape County Jail.

He was moved from Scott County.

FOX23 was in the courtroom in Benton as Lamb entered a not guilty plea.

Lamb faces charges of first degree murder and armed criminal action in connection with the brutal 1992 murder of 19-year-old Mischelle.

He is one of the last people said to have seen her alive. His DNA was found under her fingernails, something he said was due to a sexual encounter. He was never charged, until late December of last year when he was taken into custody in Conway, Arkansas.

Lamb’s attorney, Russ Oliver says his client is in shock.

“This is not a simple, straightforward case. I anticipate quite a bit of motions called for in this case,” said Oliver. “Because it’s been 32 years.”

Oliver has this message for the community.

“Leon Lamb is innocent,” he said.

Also during the hearing, Oliver asked for a change of venue. It will now be up to the Missouri Supreme Court to assign a new judge in a new county.

This comes after Special Prosecutor Allen Moss filed motions late last week for a protective order, saying the case has received so much media attention that he is concerned information leaked to the media could interfere with the integrity of the case.

“It’s really important in maintaining the integrity of the case,” said Moss. “And to see that the case is tried in court. Based on the evidence that’s admitted and not all of this other information.”

Moss says this time they have to get it right.

“I wouldn’t have brought the charge if I wasn’t confident in the evidence we have,” said Moss.

FOX23 also spoke with a member of the Lawless family. They say “the lack of transparency from attorneys and investigators and lack of communication with the family has made this process difficult from the beginning.”

This, they say “is because of the tumultuous history of the case and the lies and deception along the way between those connected.”

The family member saying: “We want the absolute truth to come out without ulterior motives.”

Both attorneys noted the family and community have been down this road before with the conviction and exoneration of Josh Kezer for the murder.

Oliver also asked for the judge to throw out the armed criminal action charged. He also entered a motion to shoot down Moss’s call for a protective order.