Friends describe homicide victim as devoted father

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- The Bollinger County man who died in a shooting last week was a devoted father of three whose friends describe him as "solid," "steady" and slow to anger.

Jessie Liley, 50, was shot to death Thursday morning at his brother's home on County Road 512.

His brother, Lonnie Lee Liley, 42, is scheduled for arraignment at 9 a.m. Wednesday on charges of first-degree murder and armed criminal action in connection with Jessie Liley's death.

"He really, truly was a good person," Morgan Sutterer said of Jessie Liley, whom she said she dated seven years ago.

Sutterer described Jessie Liley as a quiet man and a good father.

"He was a very quiet, good, steady man. Loved his children," she said.

Lonnie Lee Liley

Although court records show Lonnie Liley told authorities he shot his brother in self-defense, Sutterer said she never knew Jessie Liley to be violent or angry.

"He wasn't an angry-type person. ... I only saw him get really mad once, and he was sticking up for me," she said.

Sutterer said court records -- which show Jessie Liley had been in trouble for his involvement with controlled substances several years ago -- paint an incomplete picture of the man she knew.

"That shouldn't be what defines him," she said. " ... He was an honorable man, honorable father, quiet type."

According to a probable-cause affidavit filed in the case, Lonnie Liley told detective Della K. Moore of the Bollinger County Sheriff's Department he shot his brother in self-defense.

"Lonnie stated that he believed that Jessie was reaching for his [Lonnie's] pistol and at that time he shot Jessie," Moore wrote in the affidavit.

It was not clear why Lonnie Liley had the pistol, but according to the affidavit, a neighbor, identified as Jessie Liley's girlfriend, said Lonnie Liley had pulled a gun on her son earlier in the day, and Jessie Liley had gone to his brother's home to talk to him.

Lonnie Liley was arrested after the shooting. Bond was set at $500,000 cash only.

epriddy@semissourian.com

388-3642

Pertinent address:

County Road 512, Bollinger County, Mo.