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Southeast Missourian

Penalty of Death

File Photos and Laura Simon
Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Penalty of Death is a four part series beginning with the murder of Michael Sanders at the hands of Russell Bucklew on March 21, 1996.

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    Russell E. Bucklew, 28, of Cape Girardeau, Mo., looks at his parents during a break in his murder trial Thursday April 3, 1997 at the Boone County Courthouse in Columbia, Mo. Bucklew was found guilty of first degree murder, kidnapping, first degree burglary, foreable rape, and armed criminal action in connection with the shooting death of Michael L. Sanders, 27, of Cape Girardeau, March 21, 1996.(Ap photo/Southeast Missourian, Don Shrubshell)
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    Michael Sanders with his sons John Michael, left, and Zach.
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    Cape Girardeau County prosecuting attorney Morley Swingle Thursday April 3, 1997 displays to a jury the shotgun that was used by Michael L. Sanders, 27, of Cape Girardeau, to try to defend himself when Russell E. Bucklew, 28, also of Cape Girardeau, shot and killed Sanders in Sanders' home March 21, 1996. Bucklew was found guilty of frist degree murder, kidnapping, first degree burglary, foreable rape, and armed criminal action Thursday in Columbia, Mo. Judge Frank Conley of the 32nd judicial circuit court, presided over the trial.(Ap photo/Southeast Missourian, Don Shrubshell)
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    Outside Michael Sanders' home after the murder.
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    Cape Girardeau County Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle holds up photos of Stephanie Ray Pruitt. (Laura Simon)
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    Jerry Sanders shows off a dragon tattoo done by his son Michael. (Laura Simon)
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    Russell Bucklew terrorized Stephanie Ray during her 5 hour abduction on March 21, 1996. The ordeal ended with a shootout with police on I-270 in St. Louis.
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    Russell Bucklew terrorized Stephanie Ray during her 5 hour abduction on March 21, 1996. The ordeal ended with a shootout with police on I-270 in St. Louis.
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    Michael Sanders father Jerry inside his Scopus, Mo. home in February 2011. (Laura Simon)
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    Zach Sanders inside his Salem, Mo. home in February 2011. (Laura Simon)
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    Dorothy Sanders holds her son Michael's guitar inside her Scopus, Mo. home. Michael often wrote his own music. (Laura Simon)
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    Michael Sanders father Jerry inside his Scopus, Mo. home in February 2011. (Laura Simon)
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    The truck stolen by Russell Bucklew during his June 1996 escape.
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    The truck stolen by Russell Bucklew during his June 1996 escape.
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    Zach Sanders
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    Inside Michael Sanders' home after the murder.
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    Outside Michael Sanders' home after the murder.
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    John Michael Sanders
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    Inside Michael Sanders' home after the murder.
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    Michael Sanders leaves his signature on a drawing he made his mother for Christmas in 1992.
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    The home of Michael Sanders is no longer standing on Pyrite Lane. (Laura Simon)
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    The truck stolen by Russell Bucklew during his June 1996 escape.
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    Inside Michael Sanders' home after the murder.
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    Jerry Sanders shows off a dragon tattoo done by his son Michael. (Laura Simon)
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    Stephanie Ray Pruitt
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    Russell E. Bucklew
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    Russell Bucklew terrorized Stephanie Ray during her 5 hour abduction on March 21, 1996. The ordeal ended with a shootout with police on I-270 in St. Louis.
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    Jerry, Mindy, and Dorothy Sanders sit with a drawing Michael made his mother for Christmas in 1992, and photos of himself and his two sons. (Laura Simon)
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    Cape Girardeau County Sheriff John Jordan. (Laura Simon)
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    Russell Bucklew
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    Police search for Russell Bucklew after he escapes in 1996.
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    Russell Bucklew
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    The knife and hammer used in Russell Bucklew's attack of Barbara Pruitt and Ed Frenzel.
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    The home of Michael Sanders is no longer standing on Pyrite Lane. (Laura Simon)
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    A drawing Michael Sanders made his mother for Christmas in 1992.
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    Ed Frenzel speaks with officials after being attacked by Russell Bucklew during his 1996 escape.
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