Jury finds man guilty in 2005 robbery

A more than 5-year-old Cape Girardeau robbery case came to a close Thursday when a jury found Ronald D. Heyl guilty of robbing a local business, where an employee was held at knifepoint and forced to hand over more than $1,000 in cash.

Attorneys argued the robbery case at the Cape Girardeau County Courthouse in Jackson. The jury returned their verdict to the court in 40 minutes.

Evidence presented during the trial included DNA profiles found on a jacket and gloves worn by Heyl on April 4, 2005 -- the day of the robbery.

Heyl, 56, was charged with first-degree robbery and armed criminal action, both felonies, for robbing Quik Cash at 125 S. Broadview St.

Police found Heyl's jacket, gloves and a nylon stocking he wore over his face in a trash bin near the business. DNA from the items matched profiles of Heyl's mouth swab taken in 2006. According to a lab report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the DNA gathered would only match 1 in 459.8 quadrillion people.

The victim also said in court she had seen Heyl's face through the nylon the day of the robbery.

Following the announcement of the jury's verdict, Circuit Court Judge William L. Syler ordered a presentence investigation and sentencing assessment report. Heyl's sentencing hearing is set for Nov. 29.

ehevern@semissourian.com

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