Trial delay denied in Joplin murder case (AP) — A southwest Missouri judge decided not to push back the start of a first-degree murder trial after the defendant waivered in his request to act as his own attorney. The Joplin Globe (http://bit.ly/VCFXoy ) reported that Friday's ruling means 46-year-old William Laramore's trial remains on track to start Wednesday in Jasper County Circuit Court. [...] after questioning Laramore about his educational and legal background, the judge asked Laramore whether he wanted to reconsider.