Crime Stories with Nancy Grace

Episode: "A Dispute Turns Deadly: Missouri Man Says He Shot His Neighbor in Self-Defense"

Date: January 20, 2026

Host: Sydney Sumner (Crime Alert Hourly Update)
Produced by: iHeartPodcasts and CrimeOnline

Episode Overview

This episode delivers a piercing, minute-by-minute update on shocking recent crimes, focusing primarily on a deadly neighbor dispute in Missouri. The host, Sydney Sumner, breaks down the tragic escalation, alleged self-defense, and community fallout, then moves on to two additional headline cases: a Tennessee church deacon’s arrest for sexual exploitation via hidden cameras, and a fatal bar fight in Wyoming involving a U.S. Bureau of Land Management officer. The tone is urgent yet analytical, with several powerful moments from those affected and local community members.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Violent Neighbor Dispute in Missouri (00:00–04:10)

• Incident Summary:
  Jeffrey King (42) is charged with the murder of his neighbor Chris Wells (41), shooting him 13 times during an altercation outside their homes. King claims self-defense, saying Wells attacked him first.

• The Build-Up:

  • The conflict traces back to ongoing harassment by King, documented by the Homeowners Association and law enforcement before Wells and his family even moved in.
  • Shortly before the shooting, King threw a blanket onto Wells’s yard; Wells’s wife phoned her husband, leading to the confrontation.

• Eyewitness Testimony:

  • Two juvenile witnesses reportedly saw King shoot Wells as he lay face down:

    “They observed King shoot the victim in the back as the victim was lying face down on the ground.” (01:35)

  • This greatly challenges King’s self-defense claim.

• Community & Victim Impact:

  • Wells’s wife shares that King’s harassment had increased in severity over time.
  • Neighbor Courtney Brown gave a powerful statement after King’s court appearance:

    “I was just intently focused on him, looking at him and just trying to think how someone could be so vain.” (03:25)
    “He didn’t deserve to be the one to get gunned down like that. I just hope that justice is served and he gets what he deserves.” (03:35)

• Legal Proceedings:

  • King pleaded not guilty to murder and armed criminal action.
  • He’s held on a $5 million bond, with a preliminary hearing set for the next week.

2. Tennessee Church Deacon Arrested for Exploitation (04:11–08:00)

• Case Details:

  • Christopher Thomas Collins (42), a church deacon, was arrested for nine counts related to the sexual exploitation of a minor.
  • His wife discovered hidden camera videos on his phone, showing their 15-year-old babysitter in intimate situations using the bathroom and shower.

• Discovery and Response:

  • Collins’s wife found the files while checking his phone for infidelity, first deleting them, then screenshotting evidence and reporting to the church.
  • The church, Abba’s House, acted swiftly:

    “We immediately reported it to the police and they are handling the situation. We are caring for his wife and kids during this tragic time.” (07:18 – Church spokesperson)

• Investigation Facts:

  • Police found multiple hidden cameras and images, and forensic examination confirmed the videos were captured covertly.
  • Collins initially tried to explain the cameras as “looking for rats,” but ultimately admitted to watching and keeping the images for a time.

• Status:

  • Collins lost his deacon title and is being held on $450,000 bond.

3. Wyoming Bar Fight Turns Deadly (08:01–12:00)

• Incident Details:

  • A Bureau of Land Management officer, identified by local sources as Richard “Deke” Dollard, has been charged with murder following a drunken brawl at the Maverick Restaurant Lounge.
  • The victim, Evan Denivan, died after being put in a chokehold.

• Sequence of Events:

  • Surveillance footage: An agitated confrontation quickly becomes a melee involving 8–10 people.
  • Richard Dollard claims he intervened to “de-escalate” by putting Denivan in a chokehold; witnesses and video contradict this intention as Denivan is held for 30 seconds and left limp.
  • After Denivan collapses, Justin Dollard (Richard’s brother) is seen kicking him.

• Aftermath:

  • Witnesses attempted but failed to revive Denivan before police arrived.
  • Multiple family members have been charged (with murder and as accessories).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

“He attacked me, punched me in the face and I shot him dead.”
— Jeffrey King, speaking to police on-scene (00:35)

“They observed King shoot the victim in the back as the victim was lying face down on the ground.”
— Police summary from juvenile witness reports (01:35)

“I was just intently focused on him, looking at him and just trying to think how someone could be so vain... He didn’t deserve to be the one to get gunned down like that.”
— Courtney Brown, neighbor, on losing Chris Wells and seeing King in court (03:25–03:35)

“We immediately reported it to the police and they are handling the situation. We are caring for his wife and kids during this tragic time.”
— Church spokesperson, Abba’s House, on removing Collins (07:18)

Important Segment Timestamps

• 00:00–04:10 — Missouri neighbor dispute, background, eyewitness accounts, community statements, and legal updates
• 04:11–08:00 — Tennessee church deacon exploitation case: discovery, investigation, church response
• 08:01–12:00 — Wyoming bar murder: brawl breakdown, surveillance evidence, suspect statements

Episode Tone and Takeaways

This Crime Alert episode tackles recent high-profile crime stories with a brisk, journalistic approach. Sydney Sumner relays facts, weaves in victim and community voices, and ends with the status of each legal case. The strongest moments come from raw quotes—community members wracked by shock and anger, and suspects attempting to justify their actions.

The episode’s core themes: the lasting consequences of unchecked aggression, the importance of community vigilance, and the devastating impact of hidden crimes surfacing in unexpected ways.