Cape man receives 18 years for burglary, shooting

Cape Girardeau County Circuit Judge John Heisserer sentenced a Cape Girardeau man to 18 years in prison Monday for breaking into a Spanish Street home and shooting the resident.

On July 28, Cornelius Johnson, 21, told the court he entered 143 S. Spanish St. on Aug. 5, 2002, and shot John Murphy with a handgun during a home invasion-style burglary. He pleaded guilty to second-degree assault, first-degree burglary and armed criminal action.

Murphy was shot trying to escape the house. The bullet pierced his left arm, went through his torso, exiting the other side, and became lodged in his right wrist.

In exchange for his plea, Johnson's assault charge was amended from first- to second-degree and a first-degree attempted robbery charge was dismissed. Johnson previously pleaded guilty in August 1999 to burglary and stealing a motor vehicle.