Jury acquits Allissa Staples in 2023 Marshfield stabbing death

Staples was the second teenager charged in connection with Shawn Ellingburg's death.

Mar. 10, 2026 at 5:06pm

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A jury found Allissa Staples not guilty of second-degree murder in the 2023 stabbing death of Shawn Ellingburg in Marshfield, Missouri. Co-defendant Thomas Smith Jr., who was 16 at the time of the stabbing, is serving a 12-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to involuntary manslaughter.

Why it matters

The case highlights the complexities of juvenile crime and the challenges of prosecuting minors for serious offenses. The acquittal of Staples raises questions about the evidence and the jury's decision-making process.

The details

In June 2023, police responded to a home in Marshfield and found Ellingburg dead from stab wounds. Staples and Smith, both juveniles at the time, were arrested about an hour later just a few blocks from the house. Witnesses said there had been a fight that led up to the stabbing, and the teenagers ran off after someone called the police.

  • In June 2023, police responded to the incident.
  • Around an hour after the incident, police arrested the two juveniles.

The players

Allissa Staples

A teenager who was acquitted of second-degree murder in the 2023 stabbing death of Shawn Ellingburg.

Thomas Smith Jr.

A 16-year-old at the time of the stabbing who pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and is serving a 12-year prison sentence.

Shawn Ellingburg

The victim who was stabbed to death in Marshfield, Missouri in 2023.

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The takeaway

The acquittal of Allissa Staples raises questions about the handling of juvenile crime cases and the challenges of prosecuting minors for serious offenses. The case highlights the need for a deeper understanding of the factors that contribute to youth violence and the development of more effective intervention and rehabilitation programs.