Trial date set for Dexter man charged with murder

~ Larry Sanders has entered a plea of not guilty to second-degree murder and distribution of a controlled substance.

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- A man charged with murder by prescription medication will now take his case to trial.

According to Stoddard County Prosecuting Attorney Briney Welborn, 41-year-old Larry Kenton Sanders of Dexter, Mo., has entered a plea of not guilty to second-degree murder and felony distribution of a controlled substance.

Sanders has been charged as a prior and persistent offender on both counts because he has been charged with numerous crimes in the past, the most recent being felony possession of a controlled substance, which he pleaded guilty to in April 2006.

At that time, Sanders was sentenced to seven years in prison, however, he was placed on three years' supervised probation following his August 2006 completion of a 120-day shock incarceration program.

Sanders will now go to trial before Presiding Circuit Judge Stephen R. Sharp on Feb. 4.

Sanders' arrest earlier this year followed a four-month investigation conducted by the Dexter Police Department into the death of 19-year-old Michael Robinson.

Following Robinson's death, officers were informed that Sanders had allegedly sold 25 to 30 methadone pills to Robinson just prior to the victim's death.

Robinson's body was taken to the Mineral Area Hospital in Farmington where an autopsy was performed. Summary findings show that Robinson died of acute levels of methadone in his blood. Also found in Robinson's blood were traces of therapeutic levels of diphenhydramine, Alprazolam and marijuana metabolite.

Two witnesses also allegedly came forward stating that they had seen Sanders sell the victim the pills. When brought in for questioning, Sanders allegedly denied having sold Robinson any pills.

In his written statement, Sanders said he repaired Billy Robinson's car the Friday before Michael Robinson's death. He said he left a socket set in the car and returned Friday to retrieve it, and Billy Robinson wasn't home.

Michael Robinson was outside in the carport talking to someone, then turned to Sanders, extended his hand to show a blue tablet and then popped the tablet in his mouth, according to the statement

Sanders' statement says Michael then explained that is was morphine he got from someone.

In the statement, Sanders denies receiving cash or any sort of compensation from Michael. He also denies giving Michael any narcotic or controlled substance.