Branson Man Pleads Guilty to Murder

Tuesday, September 17, 2024 at 7:05 AM

By Scott McCaulley @smcckc

A man from the Lakes Region pleads guilty to a murder in Jasper County.

According to court documents recapped by Ozarks First, 52-year-old Nicholas Berry of Branson admits to the killing of 39-year-old Maria Whitaker of Joplin at a residence in Webb City in April of 2023. According to witness reports, Whitaker stabbed her in the upper chest and neck area before taking some money out of her pocket and leaving.

Whitaker will serve 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to the second-degree murder charge.

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