Brother charged in fatal Sikeston stabbing

SIKESTON, Mo. -- A Sikeston man has been charged with second-degree murder following a Sunday evening stabbing that left his brother dead.

Larry Joe Johnson, 57, was charged with murder in the death of David Johnson by stabbing him in the neck with a knife, according to Scott County prosecutor Paul Boyd.

Sikeston police responded to a 911 reporting a stabbing at 322 Benton St. Officers found Larry Johnson sitting on the floor, with David Johnson across his lap, cradled in his hands, said the probable-cause affidavit. Both were covered in blood.

A witness told detectives the two had argued over money that was owed. A few minutes later, David Johnson yelled that he had been stabbed. When the witness went into the room where the brothers were, he saw David Johnson lying motionless, and Larry Johnson walking toward the kitchen with a bloody butcher-style knife, according to the affidavit.

Later, Larry Johnson said he was warming up something to eat and while they were arguing, he picked up a long knife from the countertop and threw it at David Johnson, who was sitting on the love seat.

Larry Johnson told the detective he did not hurt his brother, and when he saw the knife sticking out of his brother, he pulled it out and washed it in the kitchen sink. Larry Johnson said he wrapped David Johnson in his arms because the was bleeding.

When officers arrived on the scene, David Johnson was transported to Missouri Delta Medical Center, where he later died.

Larry Johnson is in custody at the Scott County Jail, under a $250,000 cash-only bond.