Motion hearing in Shon Pernice murder trial to focus on evidence obtained through GPS device

LIBERTY, Mo. - Less than two weeks before a Northland man is scheduled to go on trial, a hearing will determine whether or not some crucial evidence against him will be heard by the jury.

Shon Pernice is accused of murdering his wife, Renee Pernice. She was last seen on Jan. 1, 2009. Her body was never found, but prosecutors say they have sufficient evidence for a conviction.

It’s some of that evidence that will be the focus of a pre-trial hearing Wednesday.

Pernice’s attorney wants two issues suppressed – information obtained from a GPS tracking device placed on his vehicle in the days after his wife’s disappearance and information obtained from his cell phone.

A Supreme Court ruling last month stated a warrant must be obtained before placing a GPS on someone’s vehicle, resulting in the overturning of a 2005 conviction in Washington.

A lead detective in the case has testified about the five-to-seven detectives assigned to the case and the information obtained through the GPS.

The defense wants that information thrown out because they say police never had a warrant to place it on Shon Pernice’s vehicle.

A police sergeant told the court that police placed the device on his vehicle on Tuesday Jan. 6, 2009 through Jan. 15.

At the time, police say, they believed Shon Pernice would lead them to his wife’s body.

Wednesday’s hearing is slated to begin at 1:30 p.m. Shon Pernice goes on trial for the murder of his wife on Feb. 27.