AVA, Mo.—The Indictment against Wiley Belt of Ava, Mo., in the Kelle Ann Workman murder investigation was dismissed today by Douglas County Prosecuting Attorney Matt Weatherman. Belt was one of three men charged in the 1989 kidnapping and murder of then 24-year-old Workman. A Grand Jury indicted Dwight Banks, his brother Bobby Banks, and Belt in February 2024. The two brothers remained incarcerated while awaiting trial. Dwight Banks pled guilty to Voluntary Manslaughter on the eve of his trial. Bobby Banks attempted to plead but the Judge rejected his deal and has now waived jury with a Bench Trial setting on December 4, 2025. Belt was released from jail on his recognizance in March 2024.
Area Media Coverage
- SGF Citizen:Prosecutor drops charges against one of three murder suspects in 1989 cold case
- Ozarks First:Charges dismissed for one of three men accused in death of a woman in 1989
- News-Leader:Charges dropped against one of 3 men in Kelle Ann Workman cold case
Workman was kidnapped while she was mowing the lawn at Dogwood Cemetery in Douglas County on June 30, 1989. Her decomposed body was found eight days later in Christian County. After the initial investigation, the case went cold for 36 years before cold-case detectives reopened the case and uncovered new witness testimony.
“Mr. Belt is grateful to the Prosecuting Attorney for his decision to drop all charges after weighing the evidence,” Belt’s attorney, Joseph S. Passanise, Managing Partner of Wampler & Passanise, said. “For close to 40 years, Mr. Belt has been under a cloud of suspicion on this investigation following false identification. He has consistently maintained his innocence and has always been cooperative with law enforcement. Dwight Banks did not know Belt and Belt was unaware of the Banks. We are thankful for the Prosecuting Attorney for doing the right thing.”
“My story has never changed – I am completely innocent and had no part in Kelle’s tragic abduction and murder,” Wiley Belt, 70, said in a statement through his attorney. “My family prays that the conviction of Dwight Banks gives Kelle’s family some closure at long last. I am grateful and relieved to finally have this heavy shadow from false identification lifted from our lives. We ask for privacy and peace.”
Leonard “Dwight” Banks was scheduled for a jury trial the first week of July but entered an Alford Plea to a charge of voluntary manslaughter, a Class B Felony, in Phelps County Circuit Court on July 3. In exchange for his plea, Dwight Banks received a 15-year sentence. His brother, Bobby Lee Banks, attempted to enter a plea on August 5, 2025, which was rejected by the Court. He has waived jury and wants to try his case before the Judge.
“We are thankful for the diligence of the Prosecuting Attorney in uncovering the truth in this horrible crime and hope the Workman family has some peace and closure after so many years,” Passanise said. “Those responsible for Ms. Workman’s murder are being held accountable, and the false accusations against Mr. Belt have now been formally dismissed. Justice, although delayed, has been achieved for those involved.”
About Wampler & Passanise
Wampler & Passanise is one of the Midwest’s top criminal defense firms, serving clients for over 50 years. Joseph Passanise, Managing Partner, James Hayes, and Thomas Carver, Of Counsel. Passanise and Carver have been recognized by Best Lawyers and Super Lawyers (Missouri and Kansas) for decades. Both Passanise and Carver have been named Lawyer of the Year by Best Lawyers on multiple occasions. Both attorneys are active in the Missouri Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and are recognized by the National Trial Lawyers Top 100. Martindale-AVVO has recognized Passanise, Hayes, and Carver with its highest rating of A-V for many years. Passanise is a Fellow of the American Board of Criminal Defense Lawyers. Visit www.entrapped.com to learn more.
