Trial in death of Caruthersville Police Officer set for Jan. 201 - KAIT-Jonesboro, AR-News, weather, sports

Trial in death of Caruthersville Police Officer set for Jan. 2014

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Caruthersville police officer Evan Burns during a July interview about his eye injury Caruthersville police officer Evan Burns during a July interview about his eye injury
Highway 84 is blocked by law enforcement near the crash scene Highway 84 is blocked by law enforcement near the crash scene
Officer Burn's police cruiser Officer Burn's police cruiser
The suspect's Cadillac Escalade The suspect's Cadillac Escalade
Deonta Jamarr Williamson (SOURCE: Pemiscot County Sheriff's Department) Deonta Jamarr Williamson (SOURCE: Pemiscot County Sheriff's Department)

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CARUTHERSVILLE, MO (KAIT) – The man charged with first degree murder of a Caruthersville Police officer will have a jury decide his fate.

According to the St. Charles County 11th Judicial Court, Deonta Williamson will have a jury trial hear his first degree murder case on January 27, 2014 in St. Charles County after a change of venue was awarded.

According to the Pemiscot County Sheriff's Office, Williamson is charged with first degree murder of Caruthersville Police Officer Evan Burns.

Burns was killed early Tuesday August 16, 2011, when police say Williamson drove a stolen 2002 Cadillac Escalade Pickup truck into the police cruiser of Burns. Burns was pronounced dead at the scene by the Pemiscot County Coroner.

Police say William was fleeing when Officers Richard Altice and Burns, both with the Caruthersville Police Department, when they used their cruisers to block Missouri Highway 84 into the city limits.

Police say Williamson used his SUV to clip the bumper of Altice's car before crashing into Evan's unit. Williamson came to rest in a corn field where he was arrested. 

Altice was treated and released from a local hospital, Burns was killed.

Williamson is charged with first degree murder, first degree assault, armed criminal action, tampering with a motor vehicle and resisting arrest by fleeing.

Burns leaves behind a young son.

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