Prosecutor may seek death penalty in Stoddard County murder case

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- Stoddard County Prosecuting Attorney Russell Oliver last week said he is considering the death penalty in a case against a man accused of a deadly shooting in an Advance, Mo., parking lot.

A motion to continue the preliminary hearing was filed in Matthew Cook's case and says the state "is considering the possibility" of seeking the death penalty.

Should Oliver decide to seek the death penalty, Cook would be appointed a new attorney by the Missouri Public Defender's System. Any new attorney would require time to prepare for a preliminary hearing.

Cook, 29, of Dexter, Mo., was charged Feb. 24 with the murder of Sean Crow. Cook is alleged to have lured Crow to a McDonald's restaurant by texting him from another person's cellphone.

Cook's friend, Scott Evans, 46, of Dexter drove him to Advance to "take care of some business with a guy," authorities say. When they arrived, Cook allegedly walked to the window of Crow's red GMC pickup and shot him.

In a probable-cause affidavit filed by Stoddard County Sheriff's deputy Hank Trout, Cook is said to have admitted to shooting Crow. Video surveillance cameras at a number of businesses in the area where the shooting took place led authorities to the pair.

Cook and Evans each are charged with one count of first-degree murder, one count of first-degree robbery, and two counts of felony of armed criminal action.

No bond has been set for Cook. A $250,000 cash-only bond has been set for Evans.

Pertinent address:

Advance, Mo.

Bloomfield, Mo.