Death penalty to be sought in Advance killing

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- Stoddard County Prosecutor Russell Oliver on Wednesday filed a notice of his intent to seek the death penalty against Matthew Cook.

Cook, 29, of Dexter, Mo., is charged with the murder of Sean Crow. Cook is alleged to have lured Crow to an Advance, Mo., McDonald's by texting him from a woman's cell phone.

The document lists several aggravating circumstances that led to the decision, including that the murder was "wantonly vile" and "inhumane," and was committed during a robbery.

The statement also includes the possibility that Oliver may add additional aggravating circumstances.

Cook and Scott Evans were charged Feb. 24 with Crow's murder after an investigation headed up by Stoddard County sheriff's deputy Hank Trout, who also serves as commander of the Stoddard County Major Case Squad.

In a probable-cause affidavit filed by Trout, Cook is said to have admitted to shooting Crow in the parking lot Feb. 19. Video surveillance cameras at a number of businesses in the area led authorities to the pair, according to the affidavit.

During a police interrogation, Cook admitted to having sent a text message, using a cell phone of a woman with whom both Cook and Crow were acquainted, asking to meet Crow. Evans reportedly drove Cook to the parking lot, dropped Cook off behind the McDonald's, and drove across the street while Cook approached Crow's vehicle on foot.

According to the timeline established through video surveillance, the shooting took place at 7:12 p.m. Feb. 19. Crow's body was not discovered in his truck until the late morning hours of Feb. 20, with a single shot to the head from a .22-caliber pistol.

Investigators were told by at least one witness that Cook admitted to Crow's murder the evening of Feb. 19. Cook also was said to have visited an acquaintance in Dexter, where he burned a set of clothes. Police later recovered buttons and rivets in the ashes of a wood stove at the person's residence.

Cook reportedly told police he acted alone in Crow's shooting. Both men, however, face identical charges.

After being incarcerated in the Butler County Jail, Cook escaped through a ceiling in March with two other inmates. He was captured 15 hours later in a nearby scrapyard.

No bond has been set for Cook. A $250,000 cash-only bond has been set for Evans. Both remain in custody.

Pertinent address:

Bloomfield, Mo.

Advance, Mo.