MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL
a division of the
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

Troop I Headquarters, P.O. Box 128, Rolla, Mo 65402


News Release

For further information please contact: Sergeant Dan Crain
573-368-2345
July 19, 2013
I07G13

EMPHASIS: Troop I: Arrests Made In Pulaski County Homicide


The homicide investigation involving the death of Laila D. Carpenter, 33, of St. Robert, MO, has resulted in the arrest of three individuals for first degree murder.
The investigation revealed that an ongoing dispute apparently existed between family members of Charles D. Howard, 29, of St. Robert, Carpenter, and Brian T. Haggard, 32, also of St. Robert. Through both phone conversations and text messages, the conflict among the parties escalated during the early morning hours of July 15, 2013. That argument prompted Howard to travel to the Alpine Haus Motel in St. Robert, MO, where Haggard was known to be visiting Carpenter.
At approximately 6:45 a.m. that morning, Howard arrived at the motel, where he found both Haggard and Carpenter outside her room. It was then that Howard fired several rounds from a handgun toward the subjects as they attempted to take cover inside Carpenter’s room. One of the shots fired by Howard struck and fatally wounded Carpenter. The investigation also revealed that a three-month-old child and the child’s mother were inside Carpenter’s room when the shooting occurred, but were not injured.
Subsequently, Howard was arrested for murder–first degree, armed criminal action, assault–first degree, and endangering the welfare of a child.
In addition, as a result of the investigation, on July 16, 2013, Libby K. Charles, 43, of St. Robert, was arrested and charged with murder–first degree and armed criminal action.
A third suspect, identified as Anthony B. West, 49, of St. Louis, was apprehended in St. Louis on July 19, 2013. He has been charged with murder–first degree and armed criminal action.
All three suspects are being held in the Pulaski County Jail. The Missouri State Highway Patrol, Pulaski County and Phelps County sheriff's departments, and the St. Robert and Rolla police departments continue to investigate. Future media inquiries should be directed to the Pulaski County Prosecuting Attorney’s office.
The charges for which these individuals have been arrested are mere accusations and are not evidence of guilt. Evidence in support of the charges must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.



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