Police in Stoddard County arrested a 16-year-old Missouri male in connection with an early-morning murder that occurred on Jan. 28, 2020. The juvenile is facing murder, robbery and burglary charges.
Just before 4:30 a.m. on the morning of the murder, police arrived at a residence in Advance, a small city in the northern part of Stoddard County. The police response was triggered by a burglar alarm that went off on Duckett Street. About 30 minutes later, the Advance police chief arrived and immediately noticed signs of forced entry on the home’s front door.
The victim was already dead when the police entered the home, lying face down on the floor. Police immediately began investigating, and by 11:30 a.m., they made contact with the teen.
When police interviewed the teen, he admitted to police that he and two accomplices were at the home with the intention of robbing the victim. The teen claims to have run away, however, when the other two suspects entered.
Police still arrested the teen and booked him into the Stoddard County jail. Prosecutors have charged the teen with second-degree murder, first-degree robbery and first-degree burglary.
Investigators got the medical examiner’s autopsy report on April 10. the victim died as a result of blunt force trauma, neck compression and a gunshot wound to the face.
In Missouri, second-degree murder is punishable by up to 30 years in prison. First-degree robbery and first degree burglary are both class A felonies and punishable by 10-30 years in prison.
When people are charged with violent crimes, consulting an attorney with experience in these types of cases is critical. Experienced defense attorneys can negotiate with prosecutors for better plea deals, defend their clients at trial and are people’s best chance at a good outcome.
