The two defendants charged with First-Degree Murder and Armed Criminal Action in the case of a Warrensburg business man who was shot and killed September 1st will appear before a new judge in the case, and possibly be granted a change of venue

An Assistant Public Defender, Norman Craig Napier, requested the new location for the trial Tuesday for Reginald Singletary. The hearing for the co-defendant, Ziyad Abid, was continued. Both men were originally charged Sept. 5th in the death of William Blaine Whitworth at his home in Warrensburg.

According to court records, Singletary told police that he shot Whitworth with a handgun “at the request of Ziyad T. Abid in exchange for money.” Both men pleaded not guilty at their October 9th arraignment.

An Associate Court Judge ruled Sept. 6 that Abid be held without bail, agreeing with Johnson County Prosecuting Attorney Lynn Stoppy that Abid was a flight risk. Singletary is being held on a $1 million bond. Both are housed in the Johnson County Jail.