The police were finally called by a witness at the scene. It has also been reported that the Geise family have many friends if not a relative or two in the police department. It was also reported that the Geise family called a friend of the family after the shooting had occurred. When that officer arrived on scene, he attempted to dispose of the gun used to murder Travis Walker.

I find the response of the local police and sheriffs department somewhat skeptical at best. The reason that I say this is due to a quote in the West Plains Daily Quill which stated, "Watson told The Quill this morning that Kurt Geise had called the sheriff's department a short time before the shooting to say there had been a problem earlier in the day." (Quill, 2006) The Quill goes on to say, "Watson said a deputy was dispatched, and the shooting appears to have occurred about five minutes before the deputy arrived at the Geise home."

Doesn't this seem a little too coincidental? It would seem to me that too many things just are not adding up. Basically what the sheriff's department is saying is that while the Geise father and two sons were beating 20 year old Bobby Brummett and holding the other four occupants of the vehicle hostage, that 43 year old Kurt Geise had a cell phone or portable phone in his hand calling the sheriff's department to report that there had been a problem.

However, approximately five minutes before the deputy actually arrived, Travis Walker was shot and killed. This does not make sense on more than one level. For example, it has been stated by occupants of the vehicle that police personnel did not arrive at the scene until a good ten to fifteen minutes after Travis Walker was shot. There was enough time between Travis Walker getting shot and law enforcement arrival to allow Travis to die. There are certainly many question that law enforcement needs to answer in regards to this case.

Kurt Geise, Andrew Geise, and Tommy Geise were all arrested and transported to the Texas County Jail. 43 year old Kurt Geise and 17 year old Andrew Geise were charged with one count of second-degree manslaughter, five counts of felonious restraint, second degree assault and armed criminal action.

According to the Missouri Revised Statutes, if Kurt and Andrew are convicted on all counts, the sentencing for second degree murder is not less than ten years nor more than thirty or life imprisonment. Felonious restraint is a Class C felony with a maximum penalty of 7 years per count for a total of 35 years. Second-degree assault is classified as a class C felony punishable by 7 years. Armed criminal action was a new one for me and I had to look it up.

According to the Missouri Revised Statutes, armed criminal action is defined as "Any person who commits any felony under the laws of this state by, with, or through the use, assistance, or aid of a dangerous instrument or deadly weapon is also guilty of armed criminal action and, upon conviction, shall be punished by imprisonment by the department of corrections and human resources for a term of not less than three years." (Missouri Revised Statutes)

Basically, if convicted on all counts, Kurt and Andrew Geise are looking at 75 years in prison - if they are not granted parole and if they are not given life for the murder of Travis Walker.