Two Missouri Women Convicted of Murder-for-Hire Charges

ST. LOUIS—The United States Attorney’s Office announced today that Elain Kay Young and Katherine A. Mock were convicted of federal conspiracy charges and murder-for-hire involving the murder of Young’s husband. Young and Mock planned and caused the murder of Young’s husband Melvin B. Griesbauer on March 23, 2006 so that Young could collect his insurance policies.

ELAIN KAY YOUNG, Novinger, Missouri; and KATHERINE A. MOCK, Cassville, Missouri, were convicted of one count each of conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire and one felony count of murder-for-hire. The six-day trial was held before United States District Judge Henry Autrey. Sentencing will be set at a later date.

Each defendant is facing life in prison. In determining the actual sentences, a judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges.

This case was investigated by the Adair County Sheriff’s Office, the Barry County Sheriff’s Office, Missouri State Highway Patrol, and the Kirksville Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorneys Tom Dittmeier, Michael Reilly, and Patrick Judge prosecuted the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.