Marston murder suspect is bound over for trial

NEW MADRID, Mo. — A man charged in a fatal shooting will stand trial.

Shawn Luke Sinclair, 29, of Iola, Kansas, is scheduled to appear in Division I of New Madrid County Circuit Court at 1 p.m. Aug. 24. Sinclair is charged with first degree murder, unlawful use of a weapon and two counts of armed criminal action in connection with the May 25 shooting death of Christopher J. Pollpeter, 31, of Republic, Mo.

Sinclair was ordered bound over for trial following a preliminary hearing on Aug. 2 before Associate Judge Joshua D. Underwood. Bond is set at $250,000 cash only for Sinclair, who remains in custody at the Mississippi County Jail.

According to the probable cause statement by New Madrid County Sheriff’s Deputy Timothy Williams, at 11:18 p.m. May 25, deputies were dispatched to Moore’s RV Park on Highway 61 in Marston following a 911 call from Sinclair. Sinclair told the dispatcher “he was in his trailer and people were trying to attack him.”

Taylor stated when he arrived at Sinclair’s trailer, Sinclair came to the front door then proceeded to purposely fall to the ground. The officer observed blood on Sinclair’s face, hands and chest.

According to the deputy when questioned Sinclair said he was “beat up by bikers.” Sinclair stated couldn’t identify those involved but added the “bikers” had fired two gunshots.

A second deputy at the scene began checking the area around the camper and located the body of a man on the ground near another camper. The man, later identified as Pollpeter, had a gunshot wound in the middle of his chest and a second wound on his left arm, according to the probable cause statement.

Four .45 caliber shell casings were found near the victim.

After a search warrant was obtained, officers went into Sinclair’s camper where they recovered a silver .45 caliber Springfield 1911 handgun. They also found a pillow containing a large amount of blood on the bedroom floor as well as a towel with blood on it.