COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Jefferson City inmate was charged with first-degree murder and other charges after authorities claim he killed another inmate on June 4.

Brandon Cole Smith, 43, of Licking, was charged on Tuesday in Cole County with first-degree murder, violence to an inmate and armed criminal action after a grand jury indictment was filed. Department of Corrections records show he is being held at Jefferson City Correctional Center.

The indictment claims Smith killed the victim, SK, after “striking” him. A probable cause statement was not filed in the case on Tuesday.

Smith is already serving a more-than-1,000-year sentence after he was found guilty in 2018 in Wester County for 11 counts of first-degree assault, one count of child abuse and six counts of armed criminal action.

Cole County Prosecutor Locke Thompson told ABC 17 News the victim’s name is Stanley Kenaga.

A June 5 press release from the DOC says Kenaga was pronounced dead at Jefferson City Correctional Center at 6:30 p.m. June 4. He was 36 years old.

The release says Kenaga was serving a life sentence for first-degree murder, along with sentences for first-degree burglary, stealing, second-degree arson and abandoning a corpse from Jasper County. He was received by the DOC on Aug. 30, 2023, the release says.  

Check back for updates.

BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION

ABC 17 News is committed to providing a forum for civil and constructive conversation.

Please keep your comments respectful and relevant. You can review our Community Guidelines by clicking here

If you would like to share a story idea, please submit it here.