Defendant Damyon Fisher, 42, appears in court on October 17th, 2023.

Update

JASPER COUNTY, Mo. — Testimony in the trial of a Joplin man charged with murder lasts just one day – ending with the defendant taking the stand.

Damyon Fisher, 42, took the stand late Monday afternoon telling a jury of seven women and five men, that he did kill Scotty Roller but it was in self-defense.

Fisher is charged with second-degree murder and armed criminal action in connection to the March 2022 homicide.

Damyon Fisher
Eddie Fisher

Following his testimony, the defense rested its case. The trial began this morning with a Newton County deputy as the state’s first witness. He testified about finding Roller’s body in a well on property owned by the defendant’s father, Eddie Fisher.

Jurors appeared to be unfazed as prosecutors showed them pictures of the victim’s body being pulled from that well.

A Joplin detective also testified about the different stories Fisher told him in the days following Roller’s disappearance.

At one point, the detective said, Damyon pointed the finger at his father, Eddie Fisher, saying he was the one who shot Roller. Officials say the three men were arguing over a car. Testimony revealed Roller was shot in the back when he turned to run away from the argument.

Eddie Fisher – Damyon’s father.

Eddie Fisher appeared in court as a witness for the prosecution. He was led into court in shackles. Fisher pleaded guilty in January and is serving a 7-year sentence for his role in disposing of the victim’s body. His testimony centered around the events of that day.

Attorneys will present closing arguments Tuesday – giving the case to the jury.

Original

Trial begins for Joplin man in 2022 homicide

NEWTON COUNTY, Mo. — Trial is underway for a Joplin man accused of shooting and killing a man and dumping his body in a well.

Jury selection began Monday morning in the case against 42-year-old Damyon Fisher. Fisher is charged with second-degree murder and armed criminal action for the March 2022 death of 36-year-old Scotty Roller of Neosho.

Newton County deputies pulled Roller’s body out of a well on a property in Seneca in April 2022. According to court documents, Fisher’s dad took Roller to Damyon’s home in Joplin to buy a vehicle, and the two got into a fight. Police said Damyon and Roller started arguing, and Damyon shot Roller when he turned to run away. Investigators say Damyon and his father, Eddie, then buried Roller’s body in the well at Eddie’s home.

Eddie Fisher pleaded guilty to his role in the case back in January and was sentenced to seven years in prison.