TROY, Mo. — A former Lincoln County detective remains at large despite his attorney’s assurances that he would surrender to authorities on felony charges related to a high-profile murder trial. Michael Merkel, 44, is facing two Class A felony counts of perjury tied to the controversial conviction of Russ Faria in the murder of Betsy Faria.
Merkel’s attorney, Joel Eisenstein, had repeatedly informed the court that his client would turn himself in on Thursday morning. As of that evening, however, prosecutors confirmed Merkel had not complied. The Journal has uncovered that Merkel is no longer residing in Lincoln County and has reportedly relocated to an address in Edwardsville, Illinois.
The charges against Merkel were filed by the Lincoln County Prosecuting Attorney’s office on Tuesday, followed by an arrest warrant signed by Associate Court Judge Michael Jacobs the next day. At a court hearing Thursday, Eisenstein attempted to secure a reduction in the $50,000 cash-only bail, arguing that the bond was “painfully absurd” given the nature of the allegations.
Eisenstein pointed out that the state had failed to establish any threats of violence or flight risk linked to Merkel, emphasizing that the charges were directed at actions against the judicial system. He criticized the terms of the bond, which included house arrest and GPS monitoring, as excessive under the circumstances.
He proposed instead a reduced bond of $25,000, permitting 10 percent cash. Eisenstein noted that keeping Merkel in jail while trying to navigate the legal process was not only unfair but could pose risks to his safety as a former law enforcement officer. He argued that the former deputy sheriff was unable to meet the financial requirements of the current bond, which he deemed punitive.
During the hearing, Judge Jacobs clarified that he was responsible for setting the bail and expressed no intention to adjust it further at this time. He underscored that the decision was based on the information available to him, suggesting that if circumstances changed, a formal bond hearing could be revisited later.
Eisenstein continuously pressed for the bond reduction, highlighting the fact that the case stems from events over a decade ago, with the absence of key evidence such as a body or drugs. He indicated that this set of circumstances starkly contrasted with what would typically warrant a high bail amount.
Merkel’s troubles trace back to his involvement in the murder investigation of Betsy Faria, where he allegedly provided misleading testimony regarding a camera malfunction that compromised critical evidence. This claim came under significant scrutiny during Faria’s retrial, ultimately leading to Faria’s exoneration and a substantial settlement for wrongful conviction.
The case has drawn considerable media attention, particularly because Pam Hupp, a central figure in the investigation, is awaiting trial herself for Faria’s murder in August 2026.
In the aftermath of Thursday’s hearing, Eisenstein expressed his belief that Merkel would eventually clear his name. He critiqued the judicial system’s handling of the case and suggested that a fair resolution was still possible.
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