CRIME: SUSPECT RELEASED, ANOTHER CHARGED

Murder charges against a Cape Girardeau man have been dismissed and the same charges have been filed against his stepbrother in connection with a shooting Thursday in Cape Girardeau.

Second-degree murder charges against Robert L. Criddle, 18, of 323 S. Hanover were dismissed Friday evening and were filed against Robert Deniro Moore, 18, of 921 Linden. Moore has admitted to shooting six rounds from his .38-caliber revolver at Solomon P. Sides Thursday afternoon at Indian Park, "one of which is believed to have struck Jesus Sides, causing his death," according to the probable cause affidavit.

The 17-year-old Solomon Sides is Jesus Sides' brother. Jesus was 19.

Moore also is charged with armed criminal action for reportedly using a handgun in committing the murder, possession of a stolen firearm and tampering with physical evidence by hiding the gun in a portable toilet in the park after the shooting.

All the same charges originally had been lodged against Criddle. Both Criddle and Moore were arrested Thursday after the shooting at Lorimier and William streets. Both made statements denying involvement in the shooting. Criddle was charged with the homicide, and Moore was released.

On learning of the charges against him, police said, Criddle wanted to change his statement and implicated Moore.

Moore voluntarily came to police headquarters Friday afternoon and admitted in a written statement and video recording to shooting six rounds at Solomon Sides.

Cape Girardeau County Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle refused to say how police concluded Moore killed Sides. He said Moore was not the only person who discharged a weapon at the scene of the killing. Police previously reported finding another gun in nearby bushes. A third gun also has been discovered. Swingle did not know where the third gun was found.

Swingle said he expects the general nature of Moore's defense will be self-defense.

In his filing for the dismissal, Swingle stated, "Robert L. Criddle was misidentified as the shooter in this case and another person with a very similar appearance to this defendant has confessed to being the shooter."

Moore's bond has been set at $1.25 million.