MAN'S CONFESSION COULD PLAY ROLE IN TRIAL FOR MONTH

JACKSON, Mo. -- If a Perryville, Mo., man is convicted of murder in a trial that started Wednesday, another man who earlier confessed to the killing might play a role.

Russell Allen Cline, 40, was charged with second-degree murder and armed criminal action in the death of William H. Dial in a shooting Feb. 8. The jury trial was moved to Cape Girardeau County on a change of venue request from Perry County.

Both sides agree Dial's death was from a fight over drug money, but defense attorney Wayne Keller said Kevin Decker's confession to police after the murder should be considered more seriously.

Regardless of Decker's changing stories about the shooting, the evidence points to Cline, Perry County prosecutor Thomas Hoeh said.

Decker was standing in Dial's front yard when police arrived. He had purchased drugs from Dial two times earlier on the same day, and had returned a third time at about 7:30 p.m. with $2,200 in his shoes, Hoeh said.

Cpl. Derrick Hunt took Decker inside the house and found Dial's body in the kitchen. An autopsy later revealed Dial died from a single shot to the chest from a .22-caliber weapon.

When Decker was questioned later at the police station, he said a man in a black mask had entered the kitchen from a back door. The man shot Dial, then turned to Decker pointing a gun and asked him where the money was. Decker told the man he didn't know, and the man left.

The same evening, Decker changed his story as police recorded his testimony on videotape. In the second version, Decker said Dial had attempted to take his money by force and was shot accidentally in a struggle.

When Decker's mother arrived at the police station that evening, he told her the same story, Keller said.

Then, Decker changed his testimony back to a masked man committing the crime.

Suspects released

Police brought in Cline for questioning that evening. With Cline and Decker seated in separate rooms, police asked Cline to ask aloud where the money was, just as Decker alleged the shooter had done. Decker told police the voice of the killer and Cline's were the same.

But lacking any more evidence, police released both men, Hoeh said.

On Feb. 18, after another interview, Decker was arrested and charged with murder, Keller said.

The next day, Decker altered his story. He identified Cline and the killer and said he had not been wearing a mask.

But the prosecutor did not charge Cline with murder until FBI investigators found Terry Reed of Perryville. Reed told investigators how Cline had borrowed a .22-caliber revolver on Feb. 8 with the intention of burglarizing an auto salvage yard.

Reed, who lives a few blocks from Dial's residence at 1138 W. St. Joseph St., was listening to his police scanner 10 minutes after Cline left when the shooting was reported. Within a few minutes, Reed said Cline had returned and wanted to give the gun back. Reed refused, and Cline left with the gun.

The trial continues today.