Jury finds man guilty in death of girlfriend
After just more than two hours of deliberation Thursday, a McDonald County jury found a Joplin man guilty of first-degree murder in the strangling death of his live-in girlfriend.
Terrance Myers, 40, was convicted Thursday of acting with deliberation in the strangulation death of Sheryl Russell, 49, in the early morning hours of March 11, 2006, at the couple's residence, a trailer at the Bykota Mobile Home Park. Russell's body was found several days later in a shallow grave along Cedar Creek near Stockton.
The verdict came at the conclusion of a four-day trial, which included a day of juror selection. Jurors had several choices: They could vote to convict Myers of first-degree murder; they could convict him of lesser charges, including second-degree murder or voluntary manslaughter; or they could acquit Myers. The trial was held in McDonald County on a change of venue from Newton County.
Jake Skouby, Newton County prosecutor, said sentencing could be held in the next month or so, as defense attorneys have 25 days to file after trial motions in the case.
Prosecutors have asked for life in prison without the possibility of parole.
"I was pleased that he was convicted of murder in the first degree, but it's tempered by the realization that Melissa Russell will not get her mom back," Skouby said.
Defense attorney Sylvia Byrnes-Ales said Myers acted in self-defense. She said Myers and Russell had a stormy relationship and that he strangled Russell only after she had first tried to harm him.
Defense witness Marty Abernathy said she witnessed an altercation in 2004 in which Russell had become angry with Myers and kept hitting him with a ceramic figurine until he struck back.
Prosecution witnesses included Roy Myers, the defendant's brother, who testified as to statements made before Russell's murder, including the use of a dog leash to further choke Russell as she lay on the floor of the trailer.
Roy Myers also supplied information to authorities that he received from his brother as to where Russell's body could be located.
Skouby said Myers tried to establish an alibi after Russell's death by going to two Joplin businesses - Midnight Video, an adult video store located a short distance from the mobile home park, and Wal-Mart on 15th and Rangeline.
"He tried to get on the surveillance cameras," Skouby said. "The jury was able to view him shortly after the killing, and judge for themselves whether he was panicked or agitated. Our argument was that he looked pretty much under control."
Skouby also argued the use of the leash followed a period of deliberation, a key element in establishing a first-degree murder charge.
Neosho Daily News