Zalma murder suspect's case moved to Cape Girardeau County

The venue for the murder case against Russell D. Mayberry, 33, of Zalma, Missouri, has been changed to Cape Girardeau County from Wayne County, Missouri.

Mayberry has an arraignment hearing in front of Judge Michael Gardner scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Monday.

Mayberry is charged with first-degree murder, armed criminal action, abandonment of a corpse and tampering with physical evidence after the body of Kenneth L. Willard, 53, of Bismarck, Missouri, was found Jan. 24, 2015, in the Black River in Wayne County.

Willard had been missing since Oct. 22, 2014, with the last usage of his credit card Oct. 28, 2014, according to the probable-cause statement from Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper J.L. Weadon.

Mayberry’s father, Roger Mayberry, 60, of Zalma told state troopers about Willard’s death Feb. 1, 2015, Weadon wrote. Roger Mayberry was working at a nearby sawmill when he heard a gunshot and saw Willard was dead, according to the statement. Russell Mayberry told his father he thought Willard planned to kill him over drugs, and it was “either him or me.”

Roger Mayberry said he helped his son dump Willard’s body in the river.

Roger Mayberry faces charges of hindering prosecution of a felony and tampering with physical evidence in Bollinger County. His pretrial conference is scheduled for 9 a.m. April 21, and his jury trial is scheduled for 9 a.m. April 25.

bkleine@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3644