Involuntary manslaughter suspect denies pulling trigger during shooting

Laterrius Triplett told a Major Case Squad investigator in a recorded interview he initiated a struggle that led to Brent Johnson being accidentally shot and killed.

Judge Gary Kamp found there was sufficient probable cause to bind over Triplett, 22, of Cape Girardeau on charges of involuntary manslaughter and armed criminal action at a preliminary hearing Friday.

Kamp said he was taking a possible third charge, unlawful possession of a firearm, under advisement.

Sgt. Scott Stoelting, investigator with the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Cape Girardeau/Bollinger County Major Case Squad, interviewed Triplett on Sept. 28 and 30 in Malden, Missouri, and Oct. 4 after Triplett was arrested. Stoelting testified Friday.

In the first interview hours after Johnson was killed, Triplett denied having any involvement with the shooting, Stoelting said.

In the second interview, Triplett said he was angry with Darieth Nunley after Nunley refused to sell him marijuana, took Triplett’s phone and pulled out his dreadlocks during a fight, Stoelting said.

Triplett later saw Richard Jenkins and Johnson, who he said he did not know, walk out of a party nearby at a house in the 1200 block of South Ellis Street in Cape Girardeau, Stoelting said.

Triplett said he knew Jenkins by reputation and said Jenkins normally carried a gun, Stoelting said.

Triplett tried to take Jenkins’ gun, and a struggle ensued, with Jenkins trying to keep Triplett from getting the gun, Stoelting said.

Triplett said he wanted to get his phone back and did not intend to shoot Nunley, Stoelting said. The gun went off, and the bullet struck Johnson in the chest.

“It did not involve Mr. Johnson, according to Mr. Triplett,” Stoelting said.

In cross examination, Stoelting said Triplett denied pulling the trigger on the gun and said the gun was Jenkins’. Stoelting also said Triplett denied destroying his clothes and stuck to the story he told in the third interview.

“According to what Mr. Triplett told me, he alleged that it was an accident,” Stoelting said.

Jenkins, 30, of Cape Girardeau also was charged with involuntary manslaughter, armed criminal action and unlawful possession of a firearm in Johnson’s death.

The next court hearing for Triplett will be Wednesday.

bkleine@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3644

Pertinent address:

1200 block South Ellis Street, Cape Girardeau, Mo.