Sikeston man gets life in prison for murder

BENTON, Mo. -- A Scott County jury has recommended a life sentence without the possibility of parole for a Sikeston man convicted of fatally shooting a woman in front of a closed convenience store.

Prosecutors said Sheila Box, 36, of Sikeston was sitting in a sport utility vehicle next to a pay phone on Aug. 5, 2000, when David Robinson, 33, shot her in the chest. She died during surgery.

It took jurors about four hours to convict Robinson of first-degree murder on Friday, and to recommend the life sentence. Jurors also recommended life in prison on a charge of armed criminal action. No sentencing date has been set.

Witnesses for the prosecution included a man who testified that he watched Robinson put a gun into Box's car and then heard a shot. A man incarcerated with Robinson testified that Robinson admitted shooting Box and stealing her money.

Robinson did not testify.