Coroner's jury recommends manslaughter charge in Butler County shooting

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- A jury of three men and three women voted to recommend a charge of involuntary manslaughter against Matthew Coble in Christopher Richards' June 22 shooting death during a coroner's inquest Friday afternoon at the Butler County courthouse.

Jurors heard testimony from eight witnesses. Butler County Coroner Jim Akers gave his report and read reports from medical pathologist Russell Deidiker and emergency room doctor Michael Barnum. Butler County Prosecuting Attorney Kevin Barbour and former coroner Larry Cotrell assisted. Coble was present, represented by attorney Keith French, but did not speak. The jury's findings are a recommendation but the decision to file charges will be made by the prosecuting attorney.

Coble, 41, allegedly shot Richards, 38, in the early morning hours of June 22 outside their shared residence in the 600 block of County Road 466.

Paramedic Pat Garrison, who responded to the scene with Rural Metro Ambulance Service, said when he arrived on scene he noticed the victim had suffered a gunshot wound to the head. He said he found a man, later identified as Richards, "laying down on his back, unresponsive, with shallow respiration."

Garrison was the primary care provider in the ambulance on the way to Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center and said Richards "lost signs of life" during transport. Garrison said he continued resuscitation efforts until they arrived at the hospital.

Garrison said a man on scene told deputies Richards had been shot with a .38 revolver. Garrison said he was not sure if he could identify that man in the courtroom.

When asked if the man was intoxicated, he said he detected "a strong odor of alcohol."

Emergency medical technician J.D. Laroux, who also responded on behalf of Rural Metro Ambulance Service, said when he arrived on scene he saw a man "laying flat on his back with a gunshot right above the right eye." He said officers were talking to a man who claimed the victim had been shot with a .38.

Laroux said he drove the ambulance and believes Richards "lost respiration" around 4:45 a.m. Garrison and Laroux were dispatched to the scene around 4:28 a.m., he said.

Chad Hale, who lived across the street from Coble and Richards, said he went outside around 3:30 a.m. June 22 and heard Coble and Richards arguing. He then went back inside to try to go back to sleep.

At about 4 a.m. he went back outside to smoke a cigarette and heard a gunshot, Hale said. He said he saw the truck parked at the residence attempting to leave shortly thereafter, but the vehicle hit a fence twice before finally pulling out of the driveway. Hale said Coble was only gone for about 30 seconds before returning.

When he realized something was wrong, Hale called 911.

Hale's roommate, Shannon Smith, said the incident happened around "4 o'clock on the nose."

"We [Smith and Hale] both happened to come outside for a cigarette," Smith said.

Smith corroborated much of Hale's testimony about the course of events the morning of June 22, including that he saw one man attempt to raise another off the ground, and the man got into his truck when that attempt was unsuccessful.

"He was trying to lift him and he was just completely in shock as well as completely intoxicated," Smith said.

"He was freaking out trying to get help," Smith also said.

When asked about motive, Smith said Coble said, "He [Richards] was trying to yank me out of the truck."

Jerry Hart, who lives next door to the residence and is Richards' mother's boyfriend, testified he "woke to a loud, brisk banging on the front door."

"I heard in a loud voice, 'I shot him! I shot him!'" Hart said, adding he and the victim's mother then ran next door to the scene.

"He [Richards] was unresponsive," Hart said. "He was still breathing but he was having trouble."

Coble appeared to be intoxicated, Hart said.

When he arrived at the scene he saw Coble "cradling Chris's head in his lap."

Hart also said he overheard Coble tell a deputy he shot Richards.

After references to Coble saying he shot his brother, a juror asked Hart if the two were brothers. Hart said they were just friends and were not related.

When asked if either man was employed, Hart said Richards was looking for work but had just been released "from a state facility" about a year ago and had difficulty finding employment.

Debbie Kinsey, Richards' mother, next testified she was awakened around 4:30 a.m. June 22 by a banging on the door to her home.

"He [Coble] was saying, 'I shot him. I shot him,'" Kinsey said.

"I ran over to the house next door and saw my son laying on the ground," she continued.

Kinsey, a licensed practical nurse, said her son still had a heartbeat at that time. She also noticed a laceration under his left eye.

She said she never heard the two arguing, and never saw the weapon when she arrived on scene.

Kinsey said Coble showed "signs of intoxication."

When asked by a juror if Richards had a history of violence, Kinsey said he had previously been in prison for domestic violence. She also said the two had only been roommates for about a month before the incident, although they had previously lived together before Richards went to prison.

Butler County Sheriff Mark Dobbs said deputy Bob Larkin was the first on scene and indicated Coble was responsible.

Dobbs said Coble claimed he "didn't mean to hurt his buddy" but he was responsible.

"They had basically been drinking since earlier in the night," Dobbs said. He added it appeared a physical altercation began in the house and Richards was trying to initiate a fight. Coble then tried to leave the scene in the truck.

Dobbs said Coble said Richards then grabbed him by the throat. Coble claimed he did not mean to shoot Richards but to fire over his head.

"He told me he was within arms reach because he [Richards] had just had hold of his throat," Dobbs said.

When asked by Akers if he had previous contact with Richards, Dobbs stated he had, including a domestic assault.

Akers concluded the inquest by reviewing his autopsy findings. He reported the laceration under Richards' eye was not connected to the gunshot wound. He also noted the bullet had never entered the "cradle of the brain."

Coble was then given an opportunity to speak, and French said he had advised his client to remain silent. Akers told the jury Coble's decision to not speak should not lead them to infer guilt.

After deliberation from the jury, the foreman announced the jury recommended charges of involuntary manslaughter with alcohol involved.

Pertinent address:

Poplar Bluff, MO