A Dexter man pleaded guilty Tuesday afternoon to recklessly causing the death of a local teenager who was killed in a June 2018 boat collision on Black River.
Accompanied by his attorney, Dan Moore, Braden Parker Bollinger appeared before Presiding Circuit Judge Michael Pritchett for a plea/trial setting in his case.
The state, represented by Butler County Prosecuting Attorney Kacey Proctor, filed an amended information with the court, charging Bollinger with the Class C felony of first-degree involuntary manslaughter,
The amended information alleged on June 3, 2018, Bollinger “recklessly caused the death of Cali Murphy by operating his boat at a dangerous speed while under the influence of intoxicants and running his boat into a boat in which Cali Murphy was a passenger.”
The 28-year-old originally was charged with the Class C felony of boating while intoxicated (BWI-death of another), two Class D felonies of BWI (serious physical injury) and two Class E felonies of BWI (physical injury).
The charges stem from an investigation into a crash on Black River that killed Cali Murphy, 16, of Poplar Bluff. Kirk Murphy, 35, and Shannon Sisson, 32, both of Poplar Bluff, suffered serious physical injuries in the crash.
Also injured were Matthew Rushin, 33, of Poplar Bluff and Brady Smyth, 50, of Dexter.
“I understand you wish to enter a plea of guilty to the amended charge filed against you,” Pritchett said.
“Yes, sir,” Bollinger replied.
Bollinger also answered affirmatively when asked whether he understood the charge and its punishment range of three to 10 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections.
Pritchett then went over Bollinger’s rights, including his right to have a trial.
“Are you pleading guilty because you are guilty of the amended offense?” Pritchett asked.
Again, Bollinger, answered yes.
In speaking with the victims, Proctor said, the state was recommending Bollinger receive a 10-year sentence, with placement in a 120-day inpatient treatment program
Given the “potential offer” in the case, Proctor said, Cali Murphy’s mother, Jessica Cannady, wanted to address the court.
Cannady said she believed her daughter’s wishes would not be to punish Bollinger, but to make him see the error of his ways.
Cali Murphy, she said, was a strong person, and someone who wanted to see the best in people.
The sentence, Cannady said, will allow Bollinger to move “forward to do better things in his life.”
Pritchett then explained to Bollinger that the next available bed date for in-patient treatment isn’t available until Sept. 23.
Prison officials, Pritchett further told Bollinger, will prepare a report for him to review, which will detail whether Bollinger is “doing good, making progress” and whether they recommend his release on probation after 120 days.
“If that’s their recommendation, that’s what I’ll do,” Pritchett said.
Bollinger subsequently answered “guilty” when Pritchett asked how he was pleading to the amended charge.
Proctor then told the court what the state’s evidence would have been had the case gone to trial.
Among the state’s witnesses, he said, would be Missouri State Highway Patrol Cpl. J.T. Wilson.
Wilson responded to the crash, which occurred at about 7:25 p.m. June 3, 2018, on Black River, about one mile upstream from the Hendrickson Access.
Proctor said Wilson found two boats stationary in a shallow portion of the river.
Both boats — an Alweld and a Shoal Runner — reportedly had extensive damage.
Proctor said Wilson observed four subjects in the water, including Cali Murphy.
“Her head was being held above water,” and she was unresponsive, Proctor said.
First aid was given to the teen, who was loaded on the bow of Wilson’s boat, Proctor said.
“Cali stopped breathing,” and later was pronounced dead at the hospital, Proctor said.
The Murphys and Sisson were occupants of Rushin’s Shoal Runner at the time of the crash.
Rushin identified Bollinger as the other boat operator.
Proctor said Bollinger admitted to being the operator of the Alweld, in which Wilson reported having seen an empty beer can, as well as a can “inside of a koozie.”
Wilson, Proctor said, also saw several unopened beer cans inside Rushin’s Shoal Runner.
Rushin, Proctor said, reported he was driving his boat upstream on Black River prior to the crash.
The other boat, operated by Bollinger, reportedly was heading downstream, to the left of Rushin’s boat.
“Mr. Rushin stated that the white and blue Alweld veered toward his boat and struck his boat head on,” Proctor said.
Everyone in Rushin’s boat reportedly was ejected.
When Wilson spoke with Bollinger, Proctor said, Bollinger reported he was traveling downstream and hit another boat.
Proctor said Wilson smelled a strong odor of intoxicants emitting from Bollinger’s breath as he spoke.
Bollinger, Wilson said, admitted to having drank “several” beers prior to the crash.
Proctor said Wilson described Bollinger’s eyes as being glassy and bloodshot, and his speech was slurred, mumbled and incoherent.
Once Proctor finished, Pritchett asked Bollinger, who had been wiping tears from his eyes as the prosecutor spoke, whether he agreed with the facts as presented by the state.
“Yes,” Bollinger replied.
At that point, Pritchett accepted Bollinger’s plea as voluntary and set sentencing for 8:30 a.m. Sept. 9.