Investigation of suicide results in murder charge

Investigation of suicide ends in murder charge

GREENVILLE, Mo. -- A 41-year-old man was charged with murder Friday in the 4-year-old death of his brother, who had originally been thought to have died by suicide.

Wayne County Prosecuting Attorney Jon Kiser charged Henry James Wilfong, 41, of Marble Hill Friday with the Class A felony of first-degree murder and the unclassified felony of armed criminal action.

According to the prosecutor, on June 15, 1998, David Wilfong shot David John Wilfong, 45.

Wayne County chief deputy Bobby Burch said the case was re-opened after new information was received two weeks ago.

Henry Wilfong told officers that he allegedly shot his brother ìin the head with Davidís .22-caliber pistol, Cooper said. Henry Wilfong allegedly shot his brother because he had said he was having an affair with Henry Wilfong's wife.

Essex man charged second time in killing

ESSEX, Mo. -- An Essex man is being held without bond after he was charged for the second time in connection with the shotgun death of the owner of Budís Country Store at Wappapello, Mo.

Gary Lee Ayers, 52, of Wappapello was found dead inside his store on Highway T on Feb. 22 by a Butler County deputy who responded to an alarm.

Butler County Prosecuting Attorney Kevin Barbour charged Jason Lee Lovell, 22, with second-degree murder, armed criminal action and first-degree burglary.

This is the second time Lovell has been charged in connection with Ayers' death.

The same charges were dismissed by the state against Lovell and two other men in April because of evidence issues.

Since that time those evidentiary issues have been resolved enough for charges to be refiled, Barbour said.

Mississippi County looks at hiring lobbyist

CHARLESTON - Mississippi County and its two largest cities need representation, but the proposed cost is a bit high for them to bear.

Brewer said a legislative assistant from the Bryan Cave law firm in Jefferson City asked for annual membership dues of $5,000 from the city of Charleston and $2,500 from East Prairie. The legislative assistant has proposed to form a coalition of counties and cities in Southeast Missouri to lobby their interests at the state capitol.

--From Southeast Missouri News Services