Noting that he’s re-examined all of the evidence in the case, St. Louis County Prosecutor Bob McCulloch has announced that he will not seek the death penalty against a St. Louis man charged with killing St. Louis County police officer Blake Snyder in October 2016.
19-year-old Trenton Forster is charged in St. Louis County with first degree murder, two counts of armed criminal action and assault on a law enforcement officer.
Prosecutor McCulloch has released a short statement, which reads, in part: “After a complete examination and reexamination of all evidence in this case, I have determined that seeking a death sentence in this case is not appropriate.”
McCulloch notes the evidence he examined includes all reports, physical items, witness interviews and medical and psychiatric records relating to Forster.
McCulloch says he cannot elaborate on his decision, citing Missouri ethical rules relating to prosecutors.
Officer Snyder was shot in the face in Green Park in October 2016, while responding to a disturbance.
Forster’s trial is scheduled to begin on February 4, 2019 in Clayton. The trial is expected to take five days.
Quincy television station KHQA reports Forster is a former Hannibal resident.
Officer Snyder’s name was added in May to the Law Enforcement Memorial Wall, near the Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City.
During that May event, Snyder’s family and law enforcement agencies from across Missouri participated by placing wreaths at the Memorial wall.