Festus, MO – A Festus man faces two felony charges stemming from an alleged domestic incident that occurred on March 3, according to the Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.

The defendant, Lawrence Murphy, age 27, of Festus is charged with one count of third-degree domestic assault and one count of resisting arrest for a felony, both class E felonies under Missouri law. The Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office officially filed the charges on August 13, 2025.

Prosecutors allege that on March 3, the defendant struck his spouse, identified as Victim 1, in the head multiple times causing physcial injury. The charge falls under Missouri statute 565.074, which classifies third-degree domestic assault as a felony when the victim is a domestic partner.

In a second count, Murphy is accused of resisting arrest by using or threatening physical force against two law enforcement officers, identified as Jeris Moonier and Tanner Hart. The officers were attempting to arrest Murphy in connection with the alleged domestic assault when Murphy resisted arrest, “by using or threatening the use of violence or physical force,” according to court documents.

Murphy’s arraignment is scheduled for September 15, 2025, at 9:00 am.

Paul Barnard Editor

Paul Barnard is the editor of the Twin City News. Barnard Graduated from Norwich University, America's oldest private military college, with a B.S. in Communications and Media Technology. There he studied journalism and marketing. For years after, Barnard was in law enforcement and gained experience in the Special Investigations Unit and publishing all the department's press releases. As Barnard's family grew, he moved on to start Twin City News.

See Full Bio