Teen pleads innocent to charges over shooting incident

A teenager pleaded innocent Monday to charges in the Feb. 14 shooting and robbing a man in Cape Girardeau during a phony drug deal.

George A. Henry, 18, of 805 Ranney St., entered his plea during a brief appearance before Circuit Judge William Syler on the charges of first-degree assault, first-degree robbery and armed criminal action. According to authorities, he is accused of shooting Steven May, 23, who thought he was going to be buying marijuana from the defendant's half-brother. After shooting May in the back, Henry allegedly rifled through the victim's pockets and stole his money. Henry, who is being held on a $500,000 bond, was next scheduled to appear in court May 15. A change of venue motion in the case is pending, said assistant prosecuting attorney Jack Koester.