Three in court for incident that left one dead; trooper injured

NEW MADRID, Mo. -- Three people charged after a Highway Patrolman was shot during a vehicle stop in March were bound over for trial.

During a preliminary hearing Friday, Associate Judge Charles Spitler ruled that Tonya M. Brown, Jermaine K. Dennis and Maurice Ely should stand trial on charges of second-degree murder, assault on a police officer, possession of a controlled substance and distribution/delivery/manufacture/production or attempt to possess a controlled substance. Their next court appearance is set for 10 a.m. May 22 before Circuit Judge Fred Copeland.

The three are charged in connection with a traffic stop March 10 on Interstate 55 near Matthews, Mo. Brown was driving a car that was stopped for following another vehicle too closely.

During the traffic stop by trooper D.W. Crank and Cpl. Shane Stewart, Stewart approached the vehicle and a passenger in the front seat, later identified as Michael Lee Thomas, began shooting at the officers. Stewart received a gunshot wound to the neck.

Stewart and Crank returned fire, killing Thomas.

Ely, who was a passenger in the backseat, also received a gunshot wound. Dennis and Brown were uninjured.

The three remain in custody at the New Madrid County Jail.

Bond is set at $100,000 cash-only for all three.

Pertinent address:

New Madrid, Mo.