PLATTE CITY, Mo. — Prosecutors said he was a serial killer in the making. Now, a Platte City man will spend the rest of his life in prison after pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and four other counts for crimes committed against two women.
Quintin P. O’Dell, 23, pleaded guilty to the May 2011 murder of Alissa Shippert in a Platte County courtroom on Thursday. O’Dell told authorities he struck Shippert in the back of the head with a hatchet. She then collapsed to the ground crying. O’Dell said he got down on his knees and repeatedly struck her in the face with the hatchet until she was no longer crying or breathing. O’Dell then pulled Shippert’s body into the river.
On Thursday, O’Dell also pleaded guilty to the December 2011 assault of Brittany Costello in her home. O’Dell told authorities after a night of drinking with O’Dell she passed out and he used a razor blade to cut open her abdomen. He said he watched her intestines fall out onto her living room floor.
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In all, O’Dell pleaded guilty to first-degree murder, first-degree assault, two counts of armed criminal action, one count of first-degree assault and deviant sexual assault. For his plea, O’Dell was spared the death penalty and was sentenced to life in prison.
During his sentencing, O’Dell apologized to his victims and the victims’ families.
Alissa Shippert’s father, Landis Shippert, also spoke in court. He said just before her murder, his daughter cut her hair and had intended on donating it to Locks of Love. Shippert said his daughter was also planning on traveling with her church to Joplin, Mo., on a mission to help tornado victims rebuild. Shippert said his daughter also dreamed of adopting an orphan one day.
Sarah, the sister of Brittany Costello, read a statement in court. In it, Brittany said she couldn’t believe a guy she attended high school with could have assaulted her the way he did. Brittany went on to write O’Dell was sick and needed help.
Judge Abe Shafer sentenced O’Dell to life in prison without the possibility of probation or parole for Shippert’s murder. He also sentenced O’Dell to 100 years each on two counts of armed criminal action and the maximum penalty of seven years in prison for deviate sexual assault.
Platte County Prosecutor Eric Zahnd said the world would be a better place with O’Dell behind bars “until he breathes his last breath.”
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