New Madrid man gets 35 years for fatal stabbing

CARUTHERSVILLE, Mo. -- A New Madrid man was sentenced to 35 years in prison for a fatal stabbing.

Robert Rooker, 49, was sentenced by Circuit Judge Fred Copeland on Thursday to 25 years in prison for second-degree murder in the death of Patrick Bradley. Rooker was sentenced to 10 years for armed criminal action. Copeland ordered that the sentences be served consecutively.

A Pemiscot County jury deliberated just 30 minutes March 1 to find Rooker guilty of intentionally stabbing and killing Bradley on April 23, 2010, in New Madrid.

At the trial, New Madrid County Prosecuting Attorney Lewis Recker said Bradley had accused Rooker of selling prescription pills to Bradley's father and had demanded Rooker stay away from his father. Bradley reportedly had threatened to tell Rooker's doctor about the misuse of the prescription drugs.

During the two-day trial, Rooker testified in his own defense and claimed self-defense. However, the prosecution contended Rooker waited for the younger Bradley to show up at his father's house and, when a fight ensued, stabbed him.

According to Recker, Rooker must serve 85 percent of the sentence he received on the murder charge.

Pertinent address:

Caruthersville, Mo.