Region briefs 11/4/15

Death sought for murder suspect

KENNETT, Mo. -- The state is seeking the death penalty against a Malden, Missouri, man accused of first-degree murder and other felonies. Floyd Mantel Young Jr., 22, was supposed to appear for a preliminary hearing last week, but won't be back in court until Nov. 23. Young is accused of killing 28-year-old Dustin Greer of Bloomfield, Missouri, in July. Young also is charged with attempted first-degree robbery, two counts of armed criminal action and unlawful use of a weapon. He is suspected of shooting the victim to death during a robbery attempt. Greer, who was shot in the head, died July 21 at a Cape Girardeau hospital after his family took him off life support. Young continues to be held without bond at the Dunklin County Justice Center.

Man allegedly chased family with a gun

BENTON, Mo. -- A Kelso, Missouri, man is in jail after chasing his family members with a firearm. Bradley A. Miller, 50, is charged with felony unlawful use of a weapon and misdemeanor domestic assault. On Sunday, Scott County deputies went to a Kelso residence after a report of a domestic disturbance. One of Miller's family members told deputies said he had been in an earlier argument with Miller. The victim said he left the residence but returned after another family member called him and asked him to return because she was afraid of Miller, Scott County Sheriff Rick Walter said. Miller is accused of pulling up in the driveway, wielding a gun. Miller started chasing the victims around a vehicle while pointing the firearm at them, Walter reported. Another family member arrived and spoke with Miller, took the gun and broke it by striking it against a pole, Walter said. When Miller began walking away, two of the relatives grabbed him and held him until deputies arrived.

Food, supplies stolen from animal shelter

KENNETT, Mo. -- About 250 gallons of dog food were stolen Saturday from the Kennett Humane Department, along with other miscellaneous items. An employee and investigating officers said thieves broke the locks on two shed doors and made off with cleaning supplies and crates used to transport animals. Tena Petix, who works at the shelter, said a friendly cat recently brought to the shelter appeared to have been kicked, because it was found the next morning with a broken jaw and teeth. "We just had some cans of paint donated to us because we were needing to paint the inside of the shelter. They took that, too," Petix said. "After all of the hard work that it took to collect these items, and after so many people having donated, it is just disheartening to think that someone would take the food from a starving dog's mouth."

-- From staff reports