Megan Boswell in Dock with New First-Degree Murder Indictment

Megan Boswell in Dock with New First-Degree Murder Indictment

In a truly remarkable turn of events in Sullivan County, Tennessee, Megan Boswell is now up against a fresh first-degree murder charge. This comes more than four years after her first arrest in the death case of her daughter, Evelyn Boswell. Expectedly, this development has caused a flurry in local communities and beyond, as it heralds a new chapter in this drawn-out legal drama.

Change of Venue Motion Pushed

Boswell was initially slated for a court appearance in Sullivan County for a motion hearing. The hearing session was intended to discuss her legal team’s request for a change of venue. However, the unfolding chain of events took a sharp bend when her attorney, Gene Scott, earlier notified the court of the fresh murder charge. Subsequently, a new date has been set for August 15, to deliberate on the change of venue motion.

Premeditated and Intentional: The New Charge

The indictment charging Boswell with first-degree murder insinuates that Evelyn’s death was both premeditated and intentional. This charge is distinctive from the previous two felony murder charges she was faced with. In effect, Boswell pleaded not guilty to the new charge while in court on Thursday.

Barry Staubus Unveils the Basis of New Charge

Addressing the circumstances leading to the new charge, Second Judicial District Attorney Barry Staubus cited new evidence as the driving factor. In his words, “It was based on additional evidence that we had, that we obtained after the initial presentment.” Hence, their team proceeded with the first-degree murder charge with the element of premeditation.

Opposing Views: Is There a Justifiable Reason for the New Charge?

After the hearing, Attorney Gene Scott shared his thoughts on the new charge, questioning why it was proffered four years later. He pointed out, “There’s been nothing new to indicate why this was brought four years later. No new discovery, no new anything as to why now, as opposed to if she’s guilty of premeditated murder, why was it not charged in 2020?”

Currently, Boswell is faced with a total of 20 counts, including the new charge. In August 2020, she was indicted on 19 other charges, some of which also include aggravated child abuse, aggravated child neglect, false reports, and failure to report a death under suspicious, unusual, or unnatural circumstances.

Concerns over Prejudiced Judgment

In a melodramatic twist to events, Scott urged the general public to withhold judgment until the wholeness of the facts has been presented. He thus clamored, “There shouldn’t be a rush to judgment in this case….Give her a presumption of innocence and wait and see what the evidence actually shows.”

However, both legal teams disagreed on issues concerning the trial venue. While Staubus maintained that Sullivan County remains suitable, Scott indicated objections, stressing that an impartial jury can be ensured if selected from regions less exposed to the ongoing proceedings.

Background to Boswell’s Legal Challenges

Boswell was first led to the dock in February 2020 on a charge of false reports concerning the missing status of her daughter Evelyn. Evelyn’s remains were eventually found in March the same year, leading to her mother’s indictments on 19 counts by a grand jury in August 2020. The sentencing gravity of the case was cited in January 2021, with the prosecutors aiming for a life in prison without parole if found guilty.