Ava, MO. – Leonard Banks, who was arrested as a part of an investigation into an over 30-year case has pled guilty to a charge of Voluntary Manslaughter. This has led to a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office made an official statement on this court result, which can be read below.
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On June 30, 1989, Kelli Ann Workman was reported missing from the Church Cemetery at Dogwood Hill. Workman was found murdered several days later in Christian County.
Today, 36 years to the date of Kelli’s disappearance, Leonard Dwight Banks age 64 or Gainesville plead guilty via an Alford Plea to Voluntary Manslaughter in the Phelps County Circuit Court in front of Judge Hickle. The case was moved to Phelps County on a change of venue at the request of Leonard Banks.
Phelps County Circuit Judge William Hickle sentenced Banks to 15 years in the Department of Corrections which is the maximum amount of time for the charge.
The case had been investigated by numerous agencies over the years including myself which led to Dwight and Bobby Banks as the primary suspects. It wasn’t until a witness came forward and provided a statement to Christian County Detective Kevin Turpin and Division of Social Service Investigator Chis Hollis, that provided the missing information to make arrests in this case. Bobby and Dwight Banks were indicted by a Douglas County Grand Jury on February 20, 2024, and both subjects were arrested on February 21, 2024 where they have remained incarcerated.
Sheriff Degase would like to thank Douglas County Prosecutor Matthew Weatherman, Detective Turpin, Investigator Hollis, the Witness and the many friends, family and Citizens that remained vigilant in the pursuit of justice and provided information on this case over the years.
“I know this sentence does not bring Kelli back or erase the years of unknowns, I hope this provides some sense of closure and will allow the family to begin the healing process.”
Douglas County Sheriff
Chris Degase
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