Following a three-day jury trial, a verdict was reached late on Friday evening. A jury found Melvin D. Anderson guilty of Class A Felony – Second-Degree Murder, Unclassified Felony - Armed Criminal Action, Class D Felony - Second Degree Domestic and Class E Felony - Unlawful Use of Weapon While Intoxicated.
According to the news release from Stoddard County Prosecutor Sawyer Smith, on June 28, 2019, in rural Advance, Shyla Anderson was domestically assaulted by the defendant. Shyla’s brother Tristan Davis went to her aid. Upon his arrival and entry to Shyla’s residence, the defendant murdered Tristan Davis by knowingly shooting him without lawful justification.
The defendant committed the felony homicide by and with the use of a deadly weapon, specifically a .12 gauge shotgun, constituting the crime of armed criminal action. At the time the defendant committed these violent offenses, he was intoxicated by drug use, constituting the crime of unlawful use of a weapon by intoxication.
The State of Missouri was represented in this matter by elected Stoddard County Prosecutor Sawyer Smith, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney LeAnn Ryan, and Special Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Kacey Proctor.
The criminal investigation was led by Stoddard County Sheriff’s Department and supported by Advance Police Department and Missouri State Highway Patrol.
“This was a complex, difficult, emotional case that was won by great teamwork,” said Smith. “Law enforcement I would like to especially thank the Stoddard County Sheriff’s Office Detectives Garry Brady and John Atkinson, MSHP DDCC Investigator Alex Lacey, Advance Police Officer Brandon Throop, and Stoddard County PA Investigator Justin Allen.”
I would like to thank all of the SCPA staff and everyone else who had a hand or played a role in bringing the defendant to justice,” Smith Continued. “In my closing argument, I asked the jury to have the ‘courage to convict’ and they did. I thank the jury yet again for their service and just verdict based on all the evidence, their reason, common sense, and deliberation. No amount of years in prison can ever bring back the victim who lost his life, completely heal the victim who suffered her injuries, or restore the victim’s family as it was before, but the heavy sentencing the defendant is likely to receive will mean accountability for his criminal conduct. In a few weeks, a sentencing hearing will be held and the defendant faces sentencing by the Honorable W. Ed Reeves, Circuit Judge Presiding.”