Gary L. Thomas Missouri Cases

Gary L. Thomas appealed the denial of his motion to retax costs associated with his criminal case, which was transferred via a change of venue from Schuyler County to Scotland County. Thomas argued that Scotland County, the transferee county, lacked statutory authority to collect costs directly from him and that Schuyler County, the transferor county, was responsible. The appellate court reversed the trial court's judgment, holding that Scotland County indeed lacked statutory authority to collect costs directly from Thomas and must seek them from Schuyler County, and ordered a refund of costs already paid. The court denied Thomas's arguments that Schuyler County was solely responsible for costs and that his indigency precluded cost assessment, finding the latter issue unripe.