A Sikeston, Mo., man was ordered to stand trial Monday afternoon in connection with a February shooting that left one dead and two others wounded.
Accompanied by his attorney, Brandon Sanchez of Caruthersville, Mo., Ricky Dewayne Davis Jr., was to have a preliminary hearing before Associate Circuit Judge John Bloodworth on the Class A felony of first-degree murder, two Class A felonies of first-degree assault and three unclassified felonies of armed criminal action.
Prior to appearing before Bloodworth, Sanchez sat side-by-side on a courtroom bench as he spoke with his client and then went over a written waiver form, which Davis signed.
Sanchez subsequently presented that form to Bloodworth, who went over Davis' rights, including his right to have a preliminary hearing in his case.
The 31-year-old answered affirmatively when Bloodworth asked if it was his decision to waive his hearing.
After accepting Davis' waiver as being voluntarily made, Bloodworth ordered he appear on July 10 before Presiding Circuit Judge Michael Pritchett for arraignment on the charges.
The charges stem from an incident, which occurred at about 11:30 p.m. Feb. 8 at a residence in the 1100 block of Franklin Street and was investigated by the Poplar Bluff Police Department.
Davis is accused of causing the death of Janice Thomas by shooting her and causing serious physical injury to her 19-year-old daughter, Ladaijha Thomas, and Oshay Thomas-Allen, 25, of New Madrid, by shooting them.
Janice Thomas, 36, suffered four gunshot wounds to her chest and died at the scene.
The younger Thomas, according to earlier reports, was shot in the neck and leg, while Thomas-Allen was shot in the mouth.
At the time of the shooting, Davis, who authorities say was Thomas' cousin, had been staying with her temporarily.
Ladaijha Thomas and Thomas-Allen were among those in the home who had taken refuge in a bedroom after Davis allegedly pulled a gun.
The elder Thomas reportedly remained outside the bedroom in an attempt to try to talk Davis into dropping his weapon.
Davis, according to earlier reports, forcibly entered the bedroom, where he allegedly fired multiple shots, striking Ladaijha Thomas and Thomas-Allen.
The elder Thomas was shot in another bedroom.
Davis' alleged actions came after a witness' account says he began talking nonsense and appeared to be under the influence of drugs. The elder Thomas had asked him to leave the home.