A Feb. 5, 2024 jury trial date has been set for Keith Bass II, in the case of the alleged murder of Theresa Bass, 44, and the attempted murder of Bobby Neal Jr., who succumbed to his injuries on March 18.

Bass faces four felony charges, including: murder, first-degree; two counts of armed criminal action; assault, first-degree or attempt, serious physical injury or special victim.

Bass appeared in custody with his public defender, Tracy McFadin, in front of Seventh Judicial Circuit Court Judge Shane T. Alexander recently. 

“There remains an unresolved issue with the charges,” McFadin stated. The judge did not see the need for a continuance saying, “A trial date needs to be set and the issue can be resolved before trial.” 

According to police records, the Excelsior Springs Police Department (ESPD) received a 911 call on Sept. 7, 2022, from Theresa’s daughter, saying her mother had been shot and claimed the shooter was the victim’s estranged husband, Keith Bass. 

ESPD Sergeant Bret Rider and Officer Joshua Hyatt arrived at 717 N. Main Street and found Theresa laying on the front porch bleeding profusely. They also located Neal “laying with his feet out of the front door and his body inside the residence. Neal was bleeding and had a severe injury to the face,” the probable cause statement read. “Theresa’s children were present, and they advised they believed the suspect to be their stepfather, Keith Bass.” 

Officers were advised Keith drove a dark-colored Jeep Cherokee with the license plate of Bass11. The children told police they were upstairs when they heard the gunshots, then came downstairs and found their mother and Neal lying on the ground bleeding.  

According to the report, Neal, who was conscious, told Officer Joshua Hyatt he “was not sure what had happened.”  

Excelsior Springs EMS transported both parties to Liberty Hospital.  

Theresa’s son and brother arrived on the scene and provided officers with Keith’s cell phone number. 

Upon arrival at the hospital, Investigations Support Specialist (ISS) Andrew Warner was advised Theresa had died as a result of gunshot wounds. Additionally, before Neal was taken into emergency surgery, he told Warner that Bass had shot both him and Theresa, according to records.  

A co-worker of Bass said Keith admitted to an aide at their workplace that he had killed Theresa. 

Warner spoke with the aide, who said Keith had disappeared from work, and “Keith advised her that he had killed Theresa and had nothing left to live for. She did not know where Keith may have been,” the records show. 

Bobby Neal Jr., 52, of Lawson passed away on March 18.

XXXX UNLESS THIS IS FOR 2024, IT NEEDS TO BE CLARIFIED OR REMOVED XXXX Bass is ordered to appear August 3, 2023 at 9 a.m. for a docket call. 

The Excelsior Springs Standard will continue ongoing coverage of this case.