Suspects in motorcyclist's killing plead not guilty

NEW MADRID, Mo. — The three suspects charged in connection with the murder of a Kansas man in Sikeston, Missouri, entered not-guilty pleas after waiving formal arraignment in New Madrid Circuit Court.

Ronnie Carl Robinson and Elsie M. Coleman Hamilton of North Little Rock, Arkansas, appeared Tuesday before Judge Fred Copeland for the June 27 murder of Lawrence “Larry” Weaver of Pittsburg, Kansas. Larenzle M. Coleman of Oakfield, Tennessee, went before Copeland on Nov. 8.

Each was charged with first-degree murder, robbery, kidnapping and tampering, Coleman was ordered to return to court Jan. 10; Robinson and Hamilton are scheduled for their next appearance Feb. 14.

Weaver recently had retired from Pittsburg State University and stopped in Sikeston on June 26 as he was returning home to Pittsburg from a motorcycle event. Robinson, Hamilton and Coleman are charged in connection with Weaver’s death and the theft of his 2013 Harley Davidson FLHX Street Glide motorcycle.

While the case against the three makes its way through the court system, Weaver’s family and friends continue to deal with the loss of a husband, father and community leader.

Weaver’s wife, Gina, describes her husband as “a generous heart and a trusting spirit.”

Gina Weaver said Weaver had saved to buy the motorcycle of his dreams and had looked forward to enjoying it during his retirement after working 50 years.

“These three criminals not only destroyed his life but robbed him of his retirement years he had so justly earned,” she said.

Gina Weaver said her husband had planned to be an organ donor when he died. That was a goal Weaver was unable to fulfill after his decomposing body was found in a field nearly a week after he disappeared.

At Weaver’s “Celebration of Life,” more than 200 people attended and more than 200 cards were received. Gina Weaver said Sikeston community members not only have sent cards and gifts of compassion, but have extended invitations to stay at their homes during the trial.

Pertinent address:

Sikeston, Mo.