Cape murder suspect appears in court

The man accused in a September shooting death of Darcus T. Purl in Cape Girardeau appeared in court Monday for a review of his case.

Steven Lee Williams, 34, charged with second-degree murder and armed criminal action, appeared with his lawyer, public defender Amy Commean, before Circuit Judge William Syler at the county courthouse in Jackson. Commean said a psychiatric evaluation of Williams has been completed, but the results weren't yet available. Syler set April 29 as an announcement date for the results of the evaluation.

Williams is alleged to have shot Purl to death on the night of Sept. 20 after an altercation near the corner of South Ranney Avenue and Locust Street. Williams also is believed to have fled the scene and broken into a residence, claiming to the occupants that he had been shot. Williams was arrested in the residence by officers of the Cape Girardeau Police Department, and he is being held at the Cape Girardeau County Jail in lieu of a $2 million bond.

Pertinent address:

100 Court St., Jackson, Mo.

South Ranney Avenue and Locust Street, Cape Girardeau, Mo.