HERMANN — Gasconade County taxpayers will be presented with a big price tag once all the expenses are tallied for the 2026 trial of accused cop killer Kenneth Lee Simpson.

Simpson faces a capital murder charge in the March 12, 2023, death of Hermann Police Det. Sgt. Mason Griffith during a confrontation at Casey’s on Highway 19. Simpson also faces charges in the shooting of Hermann Patrolman Adam Sullentrup during the same incident — a shooting that left Sullentrup with a head wound requiring extensive treatment and an injury from which he continues to recover.

The Missouri Attorney General’s Office is handling the prosecution of Simpson and has announced that it will seek the death penalty. The case has been transferred on a change of venue from Gasconade to Franklin County, where Simpson has been held since the change of venue was granted.

In a letter sent last week from the law firm that serves as Franklin County’s county counselor, the Gasconade County Commission was alerted to include in its 2026 operating budget a significant amount as reimbursement of the costs of the trial. Franklin County will pay the bills — which could include a lengthy hotel stay and related expenses for the 12 jurors and two alternates while the trial is conducted — and then, according to state law, will be reimbursed by Gasconade County.

Attorney Mark Piontek of the Washington law firm of Sandberg Phoenix advised the Gasconade County Commission that 20th Circuit Presiding Judge Craig E. Hellmann, who will be hearing the case, has projected the cost of the trial to be between $100,000 and $150,000.

“Franklin County will budget these costs for Fiscal Year 2026 but, pursuant to…statutes, expects Gasconade County to reimburse it for the actual costs incurred,” Piontek told the Commission in the letter. “We simply want to place you on notice of these expected expenses in 2026 so that you can budget accordingly.”

The trial is scheduled to begin in late January.

The proceeding against Simpson could take as much as a month, according to initial projections. One week has been scheduled for jury selection, one week for the trial and, if Simpson is convicted, another two weeks for the penalty phase during which the jury will hear additional testimony and arguments as it decides on punishment.

It could be a long and trying time for the jurors and alternates, as well as Franklin County Sheriff’s Department deputies assigned to provide security.

“Because it is a death penalty case, the jurors will be required to be sequestered for the entire length of the trial,” Piontek told county administrators. “That means they will be provided lodging, meals, security, transportation, etc. for the duration of the trial,” he added in the letter read aloud by

Presiding Commissioner Tim Schulte during the Commission’s meeting March 6 at Owensville City Hall.

According to state law, “costs” are defined as “(1) all items, services and other matters defined as costs under any other provisions of law relating to criminal or civil procedures, (2) all monies expended as salaries of persons directly related to the care of criminal defendants, security of the court, security of the jury and the room and board thereof, transportation of the jury, security and room and board of witnesses, and the processing of the cause, paid or payable out of the county treasury to which venue has been changed, (3) all expenses of whatever nature incurred by a county as a result of jury selection and service; and (4) any other expense directly related to the trial and prosecution of such criminal charge found necessary by the trial judge hearing the case,” as outlined in Piontek’s letter to the County Commission.

Piontek said Hellmann indicated he wants to meet with the Gasconade County Commission to discuss in person the upcoming expenses. When that discussion will be held isn’t yet known.

“Look for that on your agenda coming up soon,” said County Clerk Lesa Lietzow at last week’s Commission session. According to county officials, the reimbursement of expenses will come from the operating budget of the Gasconade County Circuit Clerk & Recorder of Deeds Office.