Slain woman's ex is no-show in court

The man accused of kidnapping two women, including one whose body was later found in a plastic bin in the back of her car in Missouri, refused to make an appearance in court Tuesday morning.

Michael Doyel, 47, was scheduled to make his initial appearance in 3rd District Court Tuesday. He is charged with kidnapping, a second-degree felony, in connection with taking 59-year-old Patricia Murray, who is mentally handicapped, without the consent of her guardian.

Doyel is also the prime suspect in the slaying of Deborah Jones, but as of Tuesday no homicide charge had been filed. Doyel and Jones lived together for several months before she broke off the relationship and had him move out. Shortly after their split, Jones received many harassing and sometimes threatening phone calls from Doyel, according to court documents. He also would randomly show up at her work.

Jones was reported missing April 19, and her body, bound at the arms and legs by nylon cords and stuffed in a plastic bin, was found April 21. The cause of death was determined to be asphyxiation.

Murray was also found in Missouri with Doyel but was unharmed.

During his extradition hearing in Branson, Mo., Doyel had Jones' name freshly carved into his arm and waved to TV news cameras while calling out, "I love you, Deborah Marie Jones."

If Doyel continues to refuse to show up at court, a judge can sign an order requiring a mandatory appearance.

Although he has not been charged with homicide, a federal complaint was filed in U.S. District Court against Doyel last week for kidnapping Jones.

Doyel was scheduled to make a first appearance on the federal charge Wednesday. The possibility of Doyel not showing up for that hearing seems unlikely.

If a defendant refuses to come out of his jail cell to attend, a judge will issue an order to U.S. marshals to go get that person and bring him to court the same day.

---

E-mail: preavy@desnews.com