Sikeston man to stand trial next week for 2007 murder of Morehouse man

SIKESTON, Mo. — A rural Sikeston man will stand trial by a jury next week for the shooting death of a Morehouse, Mo., man last year.

Lee Roy "Chuck" King II, 35, of 7698 Route E will appear before 36th Circuit Court Judge Mark Lee Richardson at 8 a.m. Wednesday and Thursday at the Butler County Courthouse in Poplar Bluff, Mo.

King is charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action for the March 2007 death of Richard L. Sterling, 37, of Morehouse.

Initial reports said the Sikeston Department of Public Safety received a call reporting the shooting about 9:30 p.m. March 27 outside Cronies Sports Bar and Grill. Upon their arrival, Sterling was found lying on the ground east of the business and had apparently been shot several times with a shotgun.

King turned himself in to authorities and the SEMO Major Case Squad shortly after the incident.