CRIME: CAPE MAN GETS 20 YEARS IN PRISON

A 20-year-old Cape Girardeau man will spend at least the next 18 years in prison for a gun assault that occurred in February, an assistant Cape Girardeau County prosecutor said.

Anthony Demone Johnson was sentenced to 20 years for shooting at two people in the 300 block of Good Hope Street on Feb. 26, assistant prosecutor Ian Sutherland said.

He should serve at least 85 percent of his sentence before he is released, Sutherland said.

The two victims had told police that they were approached by Johnson and two other men about 11 p.m. Johnson told one of the men that he had made a mistake, and then pulled out what was described as a Magnum revolver.

The victims ran, and shots were fired. No one reported injuries.

Investigators were never able to determine exactly what kind of gun was used in the incident, Sutherland said. A mangled slug was recovered from a 1985 Chevrolet Nova, which was believed to have come from a .357 or .48 caliber handgun, he said. The bullet had been shot through the rear window of the vehicle, which belonged to one of the victims.

At least five shots were fired, Sutherland said.

Johnson had been found guilty during a jury trial Aug. 29. Jurors deliberated for approximately three hours before finding Johnson guilty of first-degree assault, armed criminal action and unlawful use of a weapon.

Johnson was acquitted on an additional assault charge.

Circuit Judge William Syler gave Johnson 10 years for assault, and 5 years each for armed criminal action and unlawful use of a weapon. The sentences will run consecutively.

A prior drug-related conviction of 5 years will run concurrently with the other charges, Sutherland said.

Johnson's accomplices had different fates. Elbridge S. Robinson of Cape Girardeau will be sentenced Oct. 30, while charges against Omar T. Johnson were dropped.