Olathe — A longtime college music teacher was charged Wednesday with first-degree murder in the strangulation death of a man prosecutors call his former lover.
David L. Stagg, 57, is being held on $750,000 bond for allegedly killing William J. Jennings last year.
"We're alleging that it was a domestic violence homicide," said Paul Morrison, the Johnson County district attorney. "We think they had a romantic relationship for quite some time."
Stagg has taught music at Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg for 24 years. Officials said they were unsure what action would be taken.
"He has proven himself an effective teacher and someone who is always willing to share his expertise with students and colleagues," said Jeff Murphy, a university spokesman. "As the university prepares for the fall 2005 semester, it will also wait for further information related to the investigation before making a decision about Dr. Stagg's future at the university."
Morrison said he believed Stagg maintains homes in Warrensburg and Kansas City, Mo., but often spent weekends at the home of Jennings in Johnson County. The killing occurred at Jennings' home late on the night of April 24, 2004, or early the next morning.
Jennings, 51, was a court reporter and co-owner of an Overland Park firm called Metropolitan Court Reporters.
It was unclear if Stagg had an attorney. Morrison said Stagg might make an initial court appearance as soon as today if he waives extradition to Kansas.
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