Key witness expected to give testimony today in murder case

A key witness was scheduled to testify today in a preliminary hearing for a man accused of fatally shooting a 17-year-old boy behind a Cape Girardeau furniture store.

Bernard Richards, 19, was charged with second-degree murder and armed criminal action for the Jan. 25 shooting death of Jacob Bowers, 17.

The preliminary hearing in the case was set for 8:30 a.m. today before Associate Circuit Judge Gary Kamp.

In the hearing, David W. McKee was set to give testimony identifying Richards as at the scene behind Du-Shell's Furniture, 2103 William St., Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle said.

Prior to the fatal shooting, Bowers was accompanying an acquaintance who was planning to buy drugs when he decided to rob the dealer, a probable cause statement read.

According to testimony given Feb. 22, Bowers drew a two-shot derringer pistol and held it under McKee's chin, Swingle said.

Richards, who was standing a few feet away, drew out his own weapon and fired a couple shots into the air, shouting, "Scatter!"

While Bowers was running away, he was struck in the back, the bullet piercing his heart. When officers arrived at the scene around 8:16 p.m., the derringer was found lying under Bowers' body, Swingle said.

Following the shooting, Richards and McKee fled to Illinois, according to the probable cause statement.

Richards was being held in lieu of a $1 million bond and could face up to life in prison if convicted.