Witness in October shootings still missing

A man on the run is advised to turn himself in to authorities to prevent charges against him from accumulating and perhaps to protect his safety.

Xavier J. Norwood, 19, also known as Robert Norwood, with addresses in Chicago and Cape Girardeau, is a vital witness in a series of October shooting incidents involving five men.

Norwood failed to appear in court Nov. 16 as a witness when three of the men appeared for their preliminary hearing. Without Norwood's testimony, Cape Girardeau County Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle was forced to ask for a dismissal of the charges, even though several family members and people who lived in the homes targeted by shooters were on hand.

Swingle said he will refile those charges if Norwood is located and has three years to do so before the statute of limitations expires.

Swingle said it would behoove Norwood to come forward. He is already wanted on a warrant issued by the Missouri Board of Probation and Parole for parole violation in relation to a 2004 drug trafficking conviction for which he served prison time.

If Norwood fears for his safety, Swingle said, Missouri does have a witness protection program and he could be assured safety in prison if needed.

"I do not believe there will be a problem protecting him," Swingle said.

Norwood's absence Nov. 16 mystified the prosecutor, although Swingle noted several people were in court that day that perhaps Norwood wanted to avoid.

"Police have contacted all his relatives, and we don't know where he is," he said after the hearing. "We don't know if he is alive or dead."

Based on tips, Swingle now has reason to believe Norwood is hiding in the area.

Only one of the three men was released Nov. 16 because the other two either had other charges pending or were being held for probation violations.

Marquies C. Boyd, 22, Kieven S. Cole Jr., 21, and Robert D. Rodriguez, 21, were co-defendants in the October shooting incidents. They and two other men, Pervis J. Boyd, 24, and Terrvell S. Williams, 21, were accused of shooting at two homes and a car.

Norwood could place all the suspects at the shooting scenes, according to police affidavits filed with the charges.

Norwood told police he was riding in a Chevrolet Suburban on Good Hope Street on Oct. 17 when Marquies Boyd and Pervis Boyd approached in a black Ford pickup and Pervis Boyd opened fire with a handgun. In another incident, Norwood told police he accompanied Cole and Williams on Oct. 18 when they drove to a home at 3125 Mimosa Drive, where Cole and Williams fired shots at the home in an attempt to assault Zatron Twiggs.

The suspected gunmen are also believed to be responsible for firing 30 to 40 rounds at a home at 313 N. Fountain St. and at least one other incident of gunfire at 1201 Ranney Ave., both of which occurred Oct. 19.

Police believe the gunplay was prompted by a feud between two rival groups.

Marquies Boyd was the only defendant who had no other charges pending and was released. Cole was charged with misdemeanor resisting arrest for his actions when officers took him into custody Oct. 22.

Rodriguez was on probation for selling drugs in 2005, and Swingle obtained an arrest warrant Nov. 16 for a probation violation.

The shooting incidents stem from a dispute between the Boyds and the other three men, police spokesman Jason Selzer said in late October, but he was unable to provide details of what triggered the gunfire or why each location was targeted.

The Boyds listed an address of 424 S. Hanover St., while Rodriguez was listed as residing at 324 S. Hanover St. and Williams was last known to live at 504 S. Hanover St. Cole is the only one of the five who lived at a home targeted by shooters, 313 N. Fountain St.

cschmidlkofer@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 127a