Jefferson City man sentenced to life in prison for murder of snake breeder wants new trial

A Jefferson City man sentenced to life in prison for the murder of a popular Montgomery County snake breeder is asking for a new trial.

Michael Humphrey filed a motion with the Eastern District Court of Appeals last week.  The motion says the judge should not have a allowed a key witness to testify about remarks made by a co-defendant.

Humphrey was convicted of second-degree murder in the 2017 shooting death of Ben Rennick, outside his snake-breeding facility in New Florence.  Humphrey had been convicted of first-degree murder, but prosecutors reduced the charge in exchange for his testimony against his ex, and Ben’s wife, Lynlee Rennick.  She was convicted of second-degree murder and armed criminal action and sentenced to 16 years in prison.  Lynlee claimed Humphrey was the triggerman in the shooting.