Cape Girardeau man faces drug charge

A man whose alleged drug deal spurred an armed robbery and murder in Cape Girardeau was charged for the deal Tuesday.

David W. McKee Jr., 19, 510 S. Frederick St., was charged with felony possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute.

Authorities claim in a probable-cause statement that McKee was conducting a drug deal Jan. 25 behind Du-Shell's Furniture, 2103 William St., when Jacob Bowers, 17, robbed him at gunpoint.

An acquaintance of McKee, Bernard Richards, pulled out his own gun and began firing, fatally shooting Bowers in the back.

Richards, 19, of Ullin, Ill., was sentenced Monday to 15 years in prison for involuntary manslaughter in the slaying and on an unrelated drug charge.

McKee testified against Richards during a preliminary hearing and at two depositions, and was called "very cooperative," the probable-cause statement read.

In exchange for his testimony, prosecutors told McKee he would only be charged with possession of cocaine with intent to distribute. If he pleads guilty to the charge, he would receive probation, according to the probable-cause statement.

A summons was issued to McKee for the charge.