The trial of one of three men charged in connection with the killing a Jefferson City man in February 2015 began Monday.
Charles Thompson, 19, St. Louis, is charged with second-degree murder, first-degree burglary, first-degree attempted robbery and armed criminal action in connection with the death of Johnny Evans, 52, during a robbery at Evans' residence in the 1100 block of East High Street.
No trial date has been set for Vincent Smith, 25, Jefferson City, who is charged with second-degree murder, first-degree burglary, first-degree attempted robbery and armed criminal action in the case.
Robert Burks, 23, Jefferson City, is charged with second-degree murder and first-degree burglary and is scheduled to be arraigned in April.
In his opening statement, Cole County Assistant Prosecutor Scott Stacey laid out the details of what occurred.
A Jefferson City Police Department probable cause statement shows Thompson shot and killed Evans, a father of six who worked several jobs including driving a truck for the News Tribune and was a cook at Helias High School.
Prior to the robbery, Smith said he called Thompson and told him he had a "lick" for him, meaning a robbery. Smith said he told Thompson to get a gun from another individual to pull off the robbery.
Thompson and Smith forced their way into Evans' apartment.
Thompson was carrying a .380 handgun when he shot and killed Evans.
Smith admitted to police he kicked in a rear door to Evans' apartment to gain entry.
He said Thompson went with him, but Smith said he only wanted to rob Evans.
According to Smith, once inside the apartment, they started to remove items from the living room area where Evans was lying down on the couch.
Smith also said when Evans attempted to get up, he heard a loud bang and looked toward Thompson who was holding a gun.
Smith said he heard another shot and got scared and ran out of the house.
Evans managed to make his way to a neighbor's apartment to report he'd been shot. Evans collapsed and was unconscious before police arrived on the scene. He was taken to a local hospital, but was pronounced dead on arrival.
Smith told police there was a third person involved who drove him and Thompson to Evans' residence and Smith identified that man as Burks.
Smith also stated Burks had his 4-month-old infant in a child seat during the robbery.
During an interview with police, Burks denied being in Jefferson City at the time of the incident. He said he was in St. Louis visiting family.
When confronted with what Smith had told authorities, Burks then admitted to being in Jefferson City at the time of the crime.
He said he and his 4-month-old were in his car on Dulle Street, preparing to go to the store when Smith and Thompson approached them, asking for a ride.
Burks said he agreed to give the pair a ride. On the way to Evans' residence, Burks said he saw Thompson had a handgun.
Burks said he parked on Olive Street, and Thompson and Smith exited Burks' car.
After tending to his child, Burks started to leave the area but then saw Smith and Thompson running toward him.
They both got back into the vehicle and Burks drove away, heading back to the Elizabeth Street area where Smith and Thompson live.
Burks said Thompson told him he "got a body."
In his opening statement, Thompson's attorney, Public Defender David Wallis, told jurors the two witnesses they needed to pay attention to were Evans and Burks.
He told jurors that both men gave numerous conflicting statements when questioned by authorities.
"They asked the detectives what they wanted to hear because they had children and families they wanted to see," Wallis said.
Wallis also said prosecutors had worked out deals with both Evans and Burks to have the charges against them in this case dropped in exchange for their testimony.
"They were looking to minimize their roles in this case," Wallis said. "Mr. Thompson was 17 at the time. They knew he was young and would take the fall for them."
After being seated just before 2 p.m., the jury heard from mostly members of the police department who explained their role in the investigation and what they saw. Among the evidence entered were pictures which showed the wounds Evans suffered and how his apartment looked after the shooting.
One witness, Barbara Mosley, was Evans' neighbor. She told jurors that she knew Evans for 2 1/2 years, including having a relationship with him. He came to her apartment after being shot. She said Evans was nice to her and her family even bringing mix over for some cookies for her children shortly before the shooting.
"Johnny was a nice guy," she said.
The jury was dismissed at 4 p.m., and the trial is scheduled to run through possibly Thursday.