Judge sets trial date in Bishop murder case

By Rusty Murry

Nevada Daily Mail

Mark E. Bishop, of Moundville, appeared in the Vernon County courtroom of Presiding Judge James R. Bickel on Tuesday, where he was given a trial date of March 12-15, 2013, in connection with the alleged October 2011 beating death of his wife, Mary Bishop.

Mark Bishop is charged with a single count of second degree murder, but was originally arrested and jailed on a domestic assault charge filed on Oct. 2, 2011, after deputies responded to a drug overdose call on Oct. 1 at Bishop's Moundville residence.

Officers found Mary Bishop unresponsive. She was taken to Nevada Regional Medical Center, then transported to a Joplin hospital by helicopter, after X-rays revealed on Oct. 2 that she was bleeding on both sides of her brain. According to court documents, a doctor told investigators "that based on the X-rays of Mary's head, someone has beat her up." The doctor also said an injury to her chin could have been caused by a ring on someone's finger; and it appeared as though "someone had stomped on her chest area."

During the investigation, Bishop denied ever hitting his wife and told the deputy that she had recently been tripped by the dogs and that she had also tripped and fallen off the back steps.

The assault charges were amended to first degree murder after Mary Bishop died of her injuries in a Joplin hospital. The charge was amended again to second-degree murder on March 1, and Bishop pleaded not guilty later that month.

Security has been tight at the Vernon County Courthouse every time Bishop has made a court appearance. It is an emotional case and family members of the victim have been vocal at times. Everyone in the courtroom on Tuesday had to pass by a metal-detecting wand before they were allowed to enter the courtroom on Tuesday.

Bishop appeared with his public defenders Rebecca Elliston and Brand McInroy. Public defender Joseph Zuzul was representing Bishop but filed a motion to withdraw in April.

Bickel granted Zuzul's motion to withdraw on Tuesday, and a motion relating to medical records will be addressed by the court on Sept. 14.

Bishop remains in custody, in the Vernon County Jail, in lieu of a $1 million bond.