Sikeston man to stand trial next week for murder

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

Lee Roy "Chuck" King II, 35, of 7698 State Highway 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.

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 Sikeston Department of Public Safety received a call reporting the shooting at about 9:30 p.m. March 27 outside of 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 DPS authorities and the SEMO Major Case Squad shortly after the incident occurred.