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NewsApril 9, 2014

Penalty of Death

Penalty of Death is a four part series beginning with the murder of Michael Sanders at the hands of Russell Bucklew on March 21, 1996.

File Photos and Laura Simon
Russell E. Bucklew, 28, of Cape Girardeau, Mo., looks at his parents during a break in his murder trial Thursday April 3, 1997 at the Boone County Courthouse in Columbia, Mo. Bucklew was found guilty of first degree murder, kidnapping, first degree burglary, foreable rape, and armed criminal action in connection with the shooting death of Michael L. Sanders, 27, of Cape Girardeau, March 21, 1996.(Ap photo/Southeast Missourian, Don Shrubshell)
Russell E. Bucklew, 28, of Cape Girardeau, Mo., looks at his parents during a break in his murder trial Thursday April 3, 1997 at the Boone County Courthouse in Columbia, Mo. Bucklew was found guilty of first degree murder, kidnapping, first degree burglary, foreable rape, and armed criminal action in connection with the shooting death of Michael L. Sanders, 27, of Cape Girardeau, March 21, 1996.(Ap photo/Southeast Missourian, Don Shrubshell)
LAURA SIMON~lsimon@semissourian.com Michael Sanders father Jerry inside his Scopus, Mo. home in February 2011.
LAURA SIMON~lsimon@semissourian.com Michael Sanders father Jerry inside his Scopus, Mo. home in February 2011.
LAURA SIMON~lsimon@semissourian.com Zach Sanders inside his Salem, Mo. home in February 2011.
LAURA SIMON~lsimon@semissourian.com Zach Sanders inside his Salem, Mo. home in February 2011.
LAURA SIMON~lsimon@semissourian.com Dorothy Sanders holds her son Michael's guitar inside her Scopus, Mo. home. Michael often wrote his own music.
LAURA SIMON~lsimon@semissourian.com Dorothy Sanders holds her son Michael's guitar inside her Scopus, Mo. home. Michael often wrote his own music.
LAURA SIMON~lsimon@semissourian.com Michael Sanders father Jerry inside his Scopus, Mo. home in February 2011.
LAURA SIMON~lsimon@semissourian.com Michael Sanders father Jerry inside his Scopus, Mo. home in February 2011.
The truck stolen by Russell Bucklew during his June 1996 escape.
The truck stolen by Russell Bucklew during his June 1996 escape.
The truck stolen by Russell Bucklew during his June 1996 escape.
The truck stolen by Russell Bucklew during his June 1996 escape.
Zach Sanders
Zach Sanders
Inside Michael Sanders' home after the murder.
Inside Michael Sanders' home after the murder.
Outside Michael Sanders' home after the murder.
Outside Michael Sanders' home after the murder.
John Michael Sanders
John Michael Sanders
Michael Sanders with his sons John Michael, left, and Zach.
Michael Sanders with his sons John Michael, left, and Zach.
Inside Michael Sanders' home after the murder.
Inside Michael Sanders' home after the murder.
Michael Sanders leaves his signature on a drawing he made his mother for Christmas in 1992.
Michael Sanders leaves his signature on a drawing he made his mother for Christmas in 1992.
LAURA SIMON~lsimon@semissourian.com The home of Michael Sanders is no longer standing on Pyrite Lane.
LAURA SIMON~lsimon@semissourian.com The home of Michael Sanders is no longer standing on Pyrite Lane.
story image illustation
The truck stolen by Russell Bucklew during his June 1996 escape.
The truck stolen by Russell Bucklew during his June 1996 escape.
Inside Michael Sanders' home after the murder.
Inside Michael Sanders' home after the murder.
LAURA SIMON~lsimon@semissourian.com Jerry Sanders shows off a dragon tattoo done by his son Michael.
LAURA SIMON~lsimon@semissourian.com Jerry Sanders shows off a dragon tattoo done by his son Michael.
story image illustation
Stephanie Ray Pruitt
Stephanie Ray Pruitt
Russell E. Bucklew
Russell E. Bucklew
Cape Girardeau County prosecuting attorney Morley Swingle Thursday April 3, 1997 displays to a jury the shotgun that was used by Michael L. Sanders, 27, of Cape Girardeau, to try to defend himself when Russell E. Bucklew, 28, also of Cape Girardeau, shot and killed Sanders in Sanders' home March 21, 1996. Bucklew was found guilty of frist degree murder, kidnapping, first degree burglary, foreable rape, and armed criminal action Thursday in Columbia, Mo. Judge Frank Conley of the 32nd judicial circuit court, presided over the trial.(Ap photo/Southeast Missourian, Don Shrubshell)
Cape Girardeau County prosecuting attorney Morley Swingle Thursday April 3, 1997 displays to a jury the shotgun that was used by Michael L. Sanders, 27, of Cape Girardeau, to try to defend himself when Russell E. Bucklew, 28, also of Cape Girardeau, shot and killed Sanders in Sanders' home March 21, 1996. Bucklew was found guilty of frist degree murder, kidnapping, first degree burglary, foreable rape, and armed criminal action Thursday in Columbia, Mo. Judge Frank Conley of the 32nd judicial circuit court, presided over the trial.(Ap photo/Southeast Missourian, Don Shrubshell)
Russell Bucklew terrorized Stephanie Ray during her 5 hour abduction on March 21, 1996. The ordeal ended with a shootout with police on I-270 in St. Louis.
Russell Bucklew terrorized Stephanie Ray during her 5 hour abduction on March 21, 1996. The ordeal ended with a shootout with police on I-270 in St. Louis.
LAURA SIMON~lsimon@semissourian.com Jerry, Mindy, and Dorothy Sanders sit with a drawing Michael made his mother for Christmas in 1992, and photos of himself and his two sons.
LAURA SIMON~lsimon@semissourian.com Jerry, Mindy, and Dorothy Sanders sit with a drawing Michael made his mother for Christmas in 1992, and photos of himself and his two sons.
story image illustation
LAURA SIMON~lsimon@semissourian.com Cape Girardeau County Sheriff John Jordan.
LAURA SIMON~lsimon@semissourian.com Cape Girardeau County Sheriff John Jordan.
Russell Bucklew
Russell Bucklew
Police search for Russell Bucklew after he escapes in 1996.
Police search for Russell Bucklew after he escapes in 1996.
story image illustation
story image illustation
story image illustation
Russell Bucklew
Russell Bucklew
Outside Michael Sanders' home after the murder.
Outside Michael Sanders' home after the murder.
The knife and hammer used in Russell Bucklew's attack of Barbara Pruitt and Ed Frenzel.
The knife and hammer used in Russell Bucklew's attack of Barbara Pruitt and Ed Frenzel.
story image illustation
story image illustation
LAURA SIMON~lsimon@semissourian.com The home of Michael Sanders is no longer standing on Pyrite Lane.
LAURA SIMON~lsimon@semissourian.com The home of Michael Sanders is no longer standing on Pyrite Lane.
story image illustation
A drawing Michael Sanders made his mother for Christmas in 1992.
A drawing Michael Sanders made his mother for Christmas in 1992.
Ed Frenzel speaks with officials after being attacked by Russell Bucklew during his 1996 escape.
Ed Frenzel speaks with officials after being attacked by Russell Bucklew during his 1996 escape.
story image illustation
LAURA SIMON~lsimon@semissourian.com Cape Girardeau County Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle holds up photos of Stephanie Ray Pruitt.
LAURA SIMON~lsimon@semissourian.com Cape Girardeau County Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle holds up photos of Stephanie Ray Pruitt.
LAURA SIMON~lsimon@semissourian.com Jerry Sanders shows off a dragon tattoo done by his son Michael.
LAURA SIMON~lsimon@semissourian.com Jerry Sanders shows off a dragon tattoo done by his son Michael.
Russell Bucklew terrorized Stephanie Ray during her 5 hour abduction on March 21, 1996. The ordeal ended with a shootout with police on I-270 in St. Louis.
Russell Bucklew terrorized Stephanie Ray during her 5 hour abduction on March 21, 1996. The ordeal ended with a shootout with police on I-270 in St. Louis.
Russell Bucklew terrorized Stephanie Ray during her 5 hour abduction on March 21, 1996. The ordeal ended with a shootout with police on I-270 in St. Louis.
Russell Bucklew terrorized Stephanie Ray during her 5 hour abduction on March 21, 1996. The ordeal ended with a shootout with police on I-270 in St. Louis.
story image illustation
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Penalty of Death is a four part series beginning with the murder of Michael Sanders at the hands of Russell Bucklew on March 21, 1996.

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