One now faces murder charge in Sikeston robbery

SIKESTON — A Sikeston man is now charged with first-degree murder following the Christmas Day death of a man assaulted earlier in December.

On Wednesday, Maurice J. Robinson, 29, of 514 Clayton St., was charged with first-degree murder for knowingly causing the death of Linnie Andrews, 45, by striking him on the head with a pistol and stomping his head.

He is also charged with five other counts — armed criminal action, first degree robbery, first degree burglary, second degree assault and unlawful use of a criminal weapon.

The other three men charged Wednesday in connection with the crime were: Julius Hudson, 22, of the 800 Block of Ruth; Jerimiha J. Watson, 30, of 105 Pinoak; and Fabayan Larry, 22, of 210 Andrea. They are charged with one count each of the following: first degree assault; armed criminal action; first degree robbery for stealing $45 owned by Dewayne Andrews, also in the home when the crime occurred; first degree burglary; second degree assault for causing physical injury to Dewayne Andrews, nephew of Linnie Andrews, by also striking him in the head; and one count for the unlawful use of a weapon.

According to the probable cause affidavit from the Sikeston Department of Public Safety, officers were called to 504 Lanning St. around 9 p.m. Dec. 7 in regard to a robbery and assault. One ounce of crack cocaine and $45 were reportedly taken during the incident.

According to the affidavit, officers responding to the scene were told by Dewayne Andrews, another victim and the nephew of Linnie Andrews, that he saw two men wearing dark clothing, gloves and orange ski masks. Dewayne Andrews said he was sleeping on the couch as the two forced their way inside the home, and later saw his uncle lying on the ground near the hallway, obviously injured.

The two males, once inside, made Dewayne Andrews go to the kitchen and get on the ground, striking him in the head with a dark-colored revolver. He was then told to go into the living room and lie face down. Andrews also said he was told to empty his pockets, and one subject took the $45 he had. He remained lying face down on the carpet according to instructions and the two suspects then fled.

An investigation of the scene revealed that Linnie Andrews answered the door and then the two armed suspects entered, one of which struck him in the head, with what was believed to be one of the pistols.

Andrews was unresponsive and flown by helicopter to a Cape Girardeau hospital, where he was in critical condition. He was later transported to Barnes Hospital in St. Louis, where he died on Dec. 25 as a result of the injuries.

Dewayne Andrews was privately transported to Missouri Delta Medical Center for stitches.

After the crime occurred Dec. 7, DPS received a tip that Maurice Robinson was in the sporting goods section at Wal-Mart just before the robbery. When detectives viewed the surveillance video, they found that, around 8 p.m., Robinson had purchased four orange ski masks and two pairs of camouflage gloves.

Further information received by the DPS reported Robinson's vehicle was seen driving near the crime scene after the crime took place. Robinson and Linnie Andrews had reportedly been fighting a week or two prior to the crime over money, with information prior to the robbery indicating Robinson had firsthand knowledge Dewayne Andrews was getting a shipment of crack and marijuana late Dec. 6 or early Dec. 7 and going back to 504 Lanning. According to one affidavit, Hudson said that Robinson told the three on the night of the incident that Linnie Andrews was getting a large amount of dope and "that they should get it."

The stories of the four varied. According to the affidavit "depending on which suspect I was speaking with, the other suspects were in the home."

However, four other subjects were in the home at the time of the robbery and assault — three in a back bedroom and one in another room. One subject reported that he saw Robinson — also known as "Red" — stomping on Linnie Andrews' head. The informant also reported three masked men were in the home.

As of press time, the four remained in custody at the Scott County Jail. Robinson is under a $250,000 cash-only bond; and Hudson, Watson and Larry are being held under $100,000 cash-only bond.