Giacomo Bologna

Springfield News-Leader

Prosecutors have upgraded charges against a 21-year-old man who is accused of shooting and killing a woman and her unborn child.

Joseph Slagley, of Springfield, now faces two counts of murder and two counts of armed criminal action after he allegedly fired at a car early on the morning of July 1 during a dispute.

According to a press release from the Greene County Prosecutor's Office, Slagley was aiming at Jason Hansen when he pulled the trigger, but a bullet struck 36-year-old Misty Hill, who was in the passenger seat.

Both Hill — who was shot in the head — and her unborn child died.

According to a probable cause statement, Slagley intervened in an altercation between his father and Hansen that occurred in the 500 block of East Cherry Street.

Hansen sprayed Slagley's father with Mace, police say, when Hansen and Hill entered Hansen's vehicle and were preparing to leave. Slagley arrived on the scene with a 9mm handgun and shot multiple times as Hansen drove away, according to the statement.

Several people who know Slagley reached out to the News-Leader to stress that he is a good person and fired his weapon because he thought his father was in danger.

Slagley was previously charged with one count of unlawful use of a weapon and one count of armed criminal action.

Although Slagley did not intend to kill Hill or her unborn child, he can still be charged with murder under the concept of "transferred intent," according to the release.

Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Todd Myers explained that when an individual intends to kill someone, what matters under Missouri law is that there was the intent to kill. While the targeted victim wasn't harmed, Myers said, a person can still be guilty of murder.

Slagley, who allegedly told police he pulled the trigger, is being held in Greene County jail on a $250,000 bond.

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