Murder suspect indicted on additional charges

BENTON, Mo. -- A Sikeston, Missouri, man facing murder charges also has been indicted on charges of assault on a law-enforcement officer and armed criminal action.

William Henry Applewhite III, 28, allegedly assaulted three officers at the Scott County Jail in May.

Scott County Prosecuting Attorney Paul Boyd explained he presented the evidence on the assault to a grand jury, which returned an indictment.

In a news release last month, Scott County Sheriff Rick Walter said Applewhite created a disturbance in the pod where he was being held at the jail, and three officers entered the pod to attempt to secure him in his cell.

"Applewhite charged the officers and got one of them in a choke hold," Walter said in the release. "During the scuffle, Applewhite obtained control of a Taser. He used the Taser on each of the officers. Officers received Taser applications to the face, head and neck areas."

Applewhite also reportedly used the Taser on two other inmates.

Online records show Applewhite is scheduled to appear before Circuit Judge David Dolan at 1 p.m. July 9 on the assault and armed criminal action charges.

Applewhite was in jail in Scott County after being charged in the Jan. 11 shooting death of Christopher Q. West.

In connection with West's death, Applewhite is charged with first-degree murder, two counts of armed criminal action, first-degree assault, discharging a firearm at or from a motor vehicle and unlawful possession of a firearm.

Applewhite and his brother, Gailon Applewhite, were arrested Jan. 22 after an extensive search by Sikeston Department of Public Safety officers. West died from a single gunshot wound to the head while he was driving his car on North Main Street near College Avenue the evening of Jan. 11.

In response to a motion by the Applewhites' attorneys for a change of venue, the case was moved to Butler County in April.

Applewhite appeared Monday before Judge Michael M. Pritchett on the murder charge and was scheduled to enter a plea and have his trial set Aug. 4.

He is being held in the Eastern Reception Diagnostic and Correctional Center at Bonne Terre, Missouri. His bond has been set at $100,000 cash only.

Southeast Missourian reporter Katherine Webster contributed some information for this report.

Pertinent address:

2727 Route K, Bonne Terre, MO 63628

131 S New Madrid St, Benton, MO