Panel, video showing set for today on David Robinson case

A video showing and corresponding panel discussion of the Southeast Missourian’s investigative series “Life Without” will be at 7 p.m. today at Academic Hall at Southeast Missouri State University.

The series, published in December, examined the details of the conviction of David Robinson, a Sikeston, Missouri, man who was sentenced to life in prison without parole for the 2000 murder of Sheila Box.

Since the jury found Robinson guilty of the murder in 2001, two of the state’s key witnesses recanted under oath and another man confessed to Box’s murder several times before he killed himself in his prison cell.

The case is being reviewed by the Missouri Supreme Court.

The panel will consist of one of Robinson’s lawyers, James Wyrsch, as well as Southeast Missouri State University assistant professor Raleigh Blasdell, exoneree Josh Kezer and Southeast Missourian editor Bob Miller. Tamara Zellars Buck, associate professor of Mass Media at Southeast, will be the moderator.

The public is invited to attend at no cost.

The “Life Without” series recently garnered first place in the Missouri Associated Press Managing Editors contest for investigative/public interest series.

Pertinent address:

Academic Hall, Cape Girardeau, Mo.