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Jurors return guilty verdict in murder trial
NEW MADRID, Mo. — Three persons are charged in the kidnapping, robbery and murder of Larry Weaver. Two blamed the Pittsburg, Kansas, man’s death on Ronnie Carl Robinson. Robinson, in turn, testified it was his wife’s brother, Larenzle Coleman, who was responsible for the death.
In the end, it was up to the jurors to decide.
Following two days of testimony and approximately two and a half hours of deliberation, a jury found Robinson guilty of second degree murder, first degree robbery, kidnapping and first degree tampering with evidence. Judge Fred Copeland, who heard the case, set sentencing for 1 p.m. Sept. 6.
Robinson was on trial for the death of Weaver, a 66-year-old motorcyclist, who was killed while apparently trying to prevent the theft of his vehicle in the early morning hours of June 27, 2016. Weaver’s body was found July 2, 2016, in a cotton field in New Madrid County.
During the trial, which began Thursday, the New Madrid County jury of six men and six women heard testimony by 13 witnesses, including Robinson along with Robinson’s wife, Elsie Coleman Robinson, and his brother-in-law, Coleman, who are also charged in connection with the crime.
In presenting the case against Robinson, New Madrid County Prosecuting Attorney Andrew Lawson told jurors Robinson “killed a complete stranger for no other reason than he wanted his motorcycle. … He kidnapped and brutally murdered him.”
On behalf of his client, attorney Michael Hufty told the jurors Robinson unknowingly assisted Coleman in stealing the motorcycle. Coleman, Hufty insisted, was implicating Robinson in an attempt to get a reduced sentence in the case.
Lawson presented his case with the first six witnesses speaking about Weaver’s arrival in Sikeston and the search that began after Weaver was determined missing. The final six witnesses detailed Weaver’s murder, the discovery of his body and incidents following.
Robinson testified on his own behalf.
Beginning the testimony for the prosecution was John Bernick, an officer with the Topeka Police Department and Weaver’s friend. He spoke of their common interest in riding motorcycles, describing his trips with Weaver, who had recently retired from Pittsburgh (Kansas) State University.
Barbra Willeford, a desk clerk for the Sikeston Days Inn, which is located in New Madrid County, remembered checking in Weaver on June 26, 2016. In addition to recalling her conversation with Weaver, Willeford testified to seeing his motorcycle parked in front of his hotel room as she left work at 11 p.m.
Sikeston Department of Public Safety Officer Bryan Dover took the initial call to check on Weaver’s well-being after he failed to return to his home in Pittsburgh, Kan. Dover said he was directed to room 233 at the Days Inn. After knocking on the door several times, Dover said he entered the room.
“What caught me off guard was a wallet and cell phone on the microwave. These days no one leaves a wallet and cell phone behind,” he stated.
Dover said he learned from the hotel owner that the cleaning crew had found the room’s door ajar the day before.
With Weaver missing along with his motorcycle, detectives from the Sikeston Department of Public Safety were called to the scene including Bobby Sullivan. According to the officer, the investigation began with checking Weaver’s banking and credit card records along with security camera videos from surrounding businesses.
While viewing the video from the nearby Sonic Drive-in, Sullivan said they determined a dark-colored Chevrolet Avalanche pulled an empty trailer into the Day’s Inn parking lot shortly after 2 a.m. June 27, 2016. About 14 minutes later, the vehicle could be seen departing with something on its trailer.
According to Sullivan, they were later contacted by a New Madrid County deputy, who stated someone had attempted to sell a motorcycle in New Madrid County to Garnett Fisher on June 27, 2016. Fisher was able to identify two of those involved, prompting officers to try to locate Elsie Coleman Robinson, the listed owner of the Avalanche.
During his cross-examination of Sullivan, Robinson’s attorney emphasized the attempt to sell the stolen motorcycle was initiated by Coleman. He also pointed out Coleman was not forthcoming during his interrogation, changing his testimony during subsequent interviews.
“Let’s just be honest, the first thing he tries to do is negotiate,” Hufty said. “He wants to know what kind of deal he will get, right?”
“Yes,” agreed Sullivan.
Sullivan also agreed to Hufty’s assertion that it would have taken more than two people to tie up Weaver.
During recross-examination by Lawson, Sullivan said during questioning of a suspect, officers often begin with the “weakest link” adding suspects don’t always readily admit to a crime.
“The idea that he was going down for what the defendant did started him talking,” Sullivan said.
In his testimony, Fisher said he had never met Coleman but the two had texted about Coleman obtaining a motorcycle for Fisher. When texted in the early morning hours of June 27, Fisher said he agreed to meet Coleman at approximately 6:30 a.m. in Howardville.
When they met, Fisher said his conversation was initially with Coleman but after they failed to agree on a price, Robinson joined the conversation.
“Your whole deal was with Larenzle,” the defense attorney insisted in cross examination. “You didn’t even know when you showed up there that anyone else would be there.”
Fisher agreed but noted it was Robinson who “appeared to me like he wanted a better price.”
Hufty also pointed out Fisher was not able to identify Robinson in a photo lineup presented to him by law enforcement officers. Fisher agreed but added he later saw Robinson in Hayti with Elsie Coleman Robinson and Coleman, took Robinson’s picture and called a Highway Patrol officer identifying Robinson.
Missouri State Highway Patrol Corporal Chris Hamlett described the discovery of Weaver’s body while he was flying in a helicopter with other officers during a search. Among evidence at the scene, Hamlett said there were two sets of foot prints, one set leading into the cotton field where Weaver’s body was found and another set leading out of the field.
The officer detailed the ropes found around Weaver’s body along with the wound on the body.
During his cross-examination, Hufty suggested the set of foot prints were made by two people with one person pointing a gun at the head of the person in front. In rebuttal, the prosecutor noted the tracks would have been made at 2:45 a.m., making it difficult to follow in the exact same path.
Pathologist Dr. Russell Deidiker said his autopsy determined Weaver’s death was a homicide, caused by blunt head trauma and likely strangulation.
He explained Weaver was tied with a rope looped around his legs then traveling up his back and looped three times around his neck. Describing Weaver as “hog-tied,” Deidiker said that Weaver had to keep his head and legs up. When his legs dropped, he said, the victim was asphyxiated although he noted heat and dehydration could also play a part in the man’s death.
During cross examination, Robinson’s defense attorney suggested the head wound was caused by a gun. Deidiker said due to the extreme decomposition of the body, it was impossible to tell what struck the victim on the head.
Co-defendant Coleman, who was initially charged with first degree murder which was later reduced to second degree murder, took the stand wearing an orange prisoner jump suit and handcuffs.
He stated that Robinson, his sister and he began the night of June 26, 2016, looking for a motorcycle to steal. Coleman later stated he owed Robinson money for a truck and the proceeds from the theft were to help pay the debt.
After one failed attempt to steal a motorcycle, Coleman said he, Robinson and Elsie Coleman Robinson were starting to drive toward Poplar Bluff when they noticed Weaver’s motorcycle at the Days Inn. He stated they backed their stolen trailer up to the motorcycle but because the steering wheel was locked had to drag the vehicle onto the trailer then as they pulled away, Weaver came out of his room.
“He jumped on the trailer and stood up,” Coleman testified. “As we got on the ramp, Mr. Weaver walked from the trailer to the back of the truck.”
Coleman said Weaver laid in the truck bed kicking at the back window as Robinson drove up to 70 to 75 miles an hour on the highway, swerving back and forth. Robinson then turned off on a county road, continuing at a high rate of speed until turning into a cotton field.
Coleman stated when the vehicle stopped, Weaver jumped from the back of the truck and began walking away, however Robinson got out of the truck and a fight began.
“Ronnie punched him several times, numerous times,” Coleman said. “Mr. Weaver grabbed him around the waist. … Ronnie elbowed him on the top of the head.”
Coleman said Weaver fell to the ground and was kicked by Robinson in the ribs. Following the altercation he testified that Robinson returned to the vehicle for ropes which he used to tie Weaver then dragged the man into the field.
Coleman went on to detail how the trio continued to contact Fisher about buying the motorcycle and discarding the stolen trailer into the Little River Drainage ditch causing damage to the Chevrolet Avalanche. Also he testified they drove to Portageville where Robinson degreased and washed the vehicle including the areas which were touched by Weaver.
During his cross examination, Hufty pointed out Coleman changed his testimony as he was questioned by officers. He asked Coleman whether it was in an attempt to avoid going to prison.
“Do you want to go to prison?” he asked.
“I have no choice, sir,” Coleman quietly replied, later adding, “I know I’m going to prison. It is just a matter of how long.”
Hufty continued, “You will say anything you can to make them happy.”
Coleman told the defense attorney he was involved in the crime because he owed Robinson money. He denied beating Weaver or helping drag the man into the field, where he died.
The final testimony on Thursday was from Sikeston Department of Public Safety Detective Flint Dees, who described the recovery of the trailer, the field where Weaver’s body was found and his interview with Coleman.
The second day of the trial was dominated by conflicting testimony from Elsie Coleman Robinson and her husband.
Elsie Coleman Robinson detailed the incident much as her brother had testified, stating it was Robinson who drove the vehicle to and from the Days Inn. However, in her testimony she told the jurors Robinson and Coleman both exited the truck when it came to a stop in the cotton field.
She also stated she saw Robinson use his elbow to strike Weaver on the head, then looked away.
The woman admitted to being angry when she learned her brother was cooperating with police. She also said that initially she and her husband were represented by the same legal team, although she later broke her ties with them.
The prosecutor introduced a hand-written letter which Elsie Coleman Robinson received while in jail from her husband. Asking her why he had sent her the letter, she replied, “So my story would be the same as his.”
In the letter, Robinson wrote that he planned to testify that the couple was in bed at his sister’s house until 5 a.m. June 27, 2016, when they were awakened by Coleman. It was only that morning that they became aware Coleman wanted to sell a motorcycle, he wrote.
When questioned by Thomas Peterson, who also represented Robinson at the trial, Elsie Coleman Robinson stated she didn’t think Robinson wanted her to testify to save herself. “Ronnie was trying to save himself,” she replied. She also denied she was testifying in hope of receiving a deal from the prosecutor.
“The reason why I am here is to tell the truth,” the woman told Peterson. “I’m trying to tell the truth. I can take responsibility for my actions, ask your client if he will.”
On the advice of his lawyer, Durrell Waters, who was a cellmate of Robinson, declined to testify. Lawson and Amy Preyer, assistant prosecuting attorney, read part of his testimony from the preliminary hearing transcript. In it he stated Robinson admitted the trio had been looking for something to steal when they saw Weaver’s motorcycle. Also at the preliminary hearing, Waters said Robinson admitted to beating Weaver.
At that hearing, Waters admitted part of the reason he was testifying was “to help me out.”
The final witness for the prosecution was New Madrid County Deputy Donald Howard. Howard told the jurors that Robinson was upset following the preliminary in particular with the testimony provided by Waters. He said Robinson told the other prisoners in the Pemiscot County Jail that Waters “was a liar, he was a snitch and needed his ass whooped.”
In presenting the defense case, Hufty called Sikeston DPS Detective Bobby Sullivan back to the stand. Sullivan confirmed the voices on the video interview of Coleman where Lawson agreed he would not seek the death penalty against Coleman if he cooperated with police.
Robinson’s version of what happened in June 2016 differed from the testimony given by his wife and brother-in-law. Explaining to the jury he had loaned his wife’s vehicle to Coleman, he said he was awakened by Coleman around 2 a.m. June 27, 2016. Coleman told Robinson he wanted to show him something and drove Robinson and Elsie Coleman Robinson to the Days Inn.
At that time, Robinson said, Coleman told him he was “repoing” the motorcycle.
Robinson said he had repossessed vehicles himself and wasn’t surprised when someone attempted to stop them from taking the vehicle. He said it was Coleman who drove the vehicle from the scene, traveling at high rates of speed, while Weaver was in the back bed of the vehicle.
According to Robinson, Coleman said he would receive money from repossessing the motorcycle and intended to give the money to Robinson to pay for a truck which Robinson had provided Coleman.
Robinson told the jurors Coleman pulled out a pistol after bringing the truck to a stop in the cotton field. He said Coleman pointed the gun at Weaver, forcing him to lie on the ground. It was Coleman, he said, who got out the ropes then marched Weaver into the dark while carrying the pistol in one hand and the ropes in another.
At Lawson’s questioning, Robinson said he didn’t hear any fighting. When Coleman returned to the vehicle, Robinson said he did ask if Weaver would be able to get free from the ropes. He said Coleman stated the victim could free himself.
Robinson told the court he wrote the letter to his wife while they were in jail, even though he knew he was not to correspond with her. He said the letter was written in an effort to save her.
“I didn’t want her to be in trouble for what (her brother) had done. I loved my wife,” Robinson said. “The letter was written to protect her.”
Lawson would go on to point out if Elsie had followed Robinson’s advice she would not have implicated herself. By testifying against Robinson, Lawson noted, she had implicated herself in Weaver’s death.
“They are brother and sister; they are going to lie,” Robinson replied.
“So everybody is lying but you?” Lawson asked.
“I’m trying to show you the true facts,” Robinson responded.
As his attorney closed out the questioning, Robinson said he wished he had done something to help Weaver. He called his brother-in-law angry and temperamental.
“I wished I had,” Robinson said. “I regret it 100 percent.”
Robinson continued to deny beating Weaver when questioned by the prosecutor.
In making his closing remarks, Robinson’s defense attorney again called on the jurors to consider the physical evidence. He pointed out Coleman said Robinson was dragged into the cotton field yet there was no evidence of drag marks and no blood was found at the scene despite Coleman saying Weaver was struck by Robinson.
Hefty emphasized it was Coleman who had connected with Fisher who was interested in purchasing Weaver’s stolen motorcycle, not Robinson. Also he noted that Fisher was unable to identify Robinson from a photo lineup.
“What kind of justice is this - the first one in the door, the early bird gets the worm, the last one in gets the rotten egg. That’s not justice,” said Hufty referring to Coleman’s cooperation with police. “This person (Coleman) is the most responsible and he is sitting in the catbird’s seat calling the shots.”
He added, “Why believe Larenzle more than (Robinson’s) testimony. How does that make sense?”
In his rebuttal to the defense’s remarks, Lawson gave his interpretation of the physical evidence including pointing out the tow rope around Weaver’s waist which could have been used to drag the man into the field. Also he noted the cotton field was irrigated which could have washed away evidence at the scene.
Finally, Lawson noted both Coleman and Elsie Coleman Robinson had testified to their roles in the crime. He pointed out Elsie Coleman Robinson would especially have benefitted from going along with the lies proposed in her husband’s letter.
“That letter would still be accurate if Elsie didn't flip on him. … Larenzle has a reason to lie. Elsie doesn't. If Elsie would have lied, she wouldn’t be right here,” said Lawson.
Then holding up the handwritten letter, he added. “Elsie couldn't do that to her brother. … Elsie is the one telling the truth.”
Finally, Lawson called on the jurors to return a guilty verdict against Robinson. “I can charge people all day,” he said then pointing to the photo of Weaver’s bound body added, “But with your verdict you send a message to would-be criminals and to the people of Pittsburg, Kansas; this is not New Madrid County.”
Weaver’s wife, Regina, who sat in the court room for much of the two-day trial, expressed her thanks to the jury for its verdict, calling it just.
New Madrid County Prosecuting Attorney Andrew Lawson, who had sought a first degree murder charge against Robinson, also said he was pleased with the jury’s ruling.
“With murder second, he is still facing substantial punishment,” Lawson noted, explaining the penalty for second degree murder, kidnapping and robbery in each case is from 10 to 30 years to life while the penalty for tampering is a maximum of 14 years.
Lawson also expressed his appreciation to various law enforcement agencies which worked the case.
“I think there were five or six different agencies that worked this from the beginning as a missing person’s case from all the way to getting three suspects in jail,” he said. “Without their hard work, the verdict would not be possible.”