JOPLIN, Mo. — A Jasper County jury found Aaron Malone guilty on multiple charges, including first-degree murder, in the death of his girlfriend, Aspen Lewis. The conviction followed a three-day trial that scrutinized Malone’s conflicting statements and the physical evidence presented by prosecutors.
Prosecutors argued that Malone, 24, fatally attacked Lewis, also 24, before reporting her missing. The case began when Malone filed a missing-person report, claiming she may have been abducted. However, Sheriff Danny Boyd noted that investigators quickly observed discrepancies between Malone’s accounts and the evidence at the scene. Blood stains were found both on Malone’s vehicle and at the location where Lewis was reportedly last seen.
Video surveillance played a crucial role in the prosecution’s case. Footage showed Malone’s truck arriving late on November 24, 2024, with screams audible shortly thereafter. This timeline cast doubt on Malone’s claim that Lewis had been taken by a third party. Blood samples extracted from the scene were confirmed to be human, further supporting the contention of foul play.
As the investigation progressed, Malone’s narrative transformed under pressure from law enforcement. Initially expressing concern for Lewis’s welfare, he eventually led authorities to a rural area in Barry County, where Lewis’s remains were discovered. After informing the police of a physical altercation, Malone admitted to discarding her body. Investigators reported that her corpse showed signs of severe trauma.
During the trial, Barry County Prosecutor Amy Boxx detailed the violent sequence of events leading to Lewis’s death. She presented evidence indicating Malone struck her, strangled her, and ultimately shot her. The prosecution maintained that the evidence warranted a first-degree murder charge, a position the defense disputed, particularly regarding medical and witness testimonies.
After the verdict, which followed about an hour of jury deliberation, Malone’s attorney, Glenn Huggins, filed a motion for a new trial. The motion raised several concerns, including limitations on defense arguments and challenges to evidence regarding the premeditation of the crime. Huggins also pointed out discrepancies related to medical expert testimony, claiming that the defense required more time to scrutinize revised opinions.
Despite the filing for a new trial, the jury’s findings remain intact as the court prepares for Malone’s sentencing on June 9. He is currently held without bond and faces an additional charge of third-degree assault for an unrelated incident in the county jail. As the legal proceedings unfold, the focus remains on the upcoming sentencing and the potential impact of the defense’s motion for a new trial.
Jasper County’s court system will address the next steps, including the evaluation of the defense’s complaints and any considerations surrounding Malone’s convictions. The case, which has garnered significant attention, is a stark reminder of the complexities involved in criminal justice and the pursuit of truth.