Suspect in break-in, beating of university student waives preliminary hearing

A Southeast Missouri State University student charged in the off-campus Dec. 13 assault of another student waived his right to a preliminary hearing Monday before Associate Circuit Court Judge Gary A. Kamp.

Pili Showers, 21, of Cape Girardeau was charged Feb. 9 with felony first-degree burglary for allegedly unlawfully entering a house at 1325 Dunklin St. with four other Southeast students and beating Blake Carlton, a junior from St. Louis. Two of the students, Brett Jones and Antonio Garritano, were charged with assault.

Jones, Garritano and two other students charged in the attack, Derek Gohn and Jared Goodson, were players on the 2009 Southeast football team.

According to a probable-cause affidavit filed after Showers' arrest, Showers was picked up at his residence at 1023 N. Middle St. by Gohn, Jones and several others on Dec. 13. Garritano was picked up from the same residence.

Jones told officers he, Showers, Garritano, Gohn and Goodson all entered the Dunklin Street home. No one but Jones and Garritano hit Carlton, according to the affidavit. Jones said he saw Garritano hit Carlton up to 16 times.

The affidavit outlines no action taken by Showers.

Carlton suffered severe injuries to his head after someone threw him onto a coffee table. Carlton blacked out, according to the affidavit, and when he came to in a bathroom he vomited blood.

Showers was held on a $10,000 bond but was released after he posted bond Feb. 16.

He is expected back in court March 15 for a hearing before Circuit Court Judge William Syler.

ehevern@semissourian.com

388-3635

Pertinent address:

1325 Dunklin St., Cape Girardeau, MO

1023 N. Middle St., Cape Girardeau, MO