KAIT-Jonesboro, AR-News, weather, sports, classifiedsSuspected killer of Senath 3-year-old appears in court; death penalty sought

Suspected killer of Senath 3-year-old appears in court; death penalty sought

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Shawn Morgan (Source: Dunklin County Sheriff's Department) Shawn Morgan (Source: Dunklin County Sheriff's Department)
Breeann Rodriguez (Source: NCMEC) Breeann Rodriguez (Source: NCMEC)
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KENNETT, MO (KAIT) – The man accused of killing Senath 3-year-old Breeann Rodriguez appeared in a Dunklin County courtroom Wednesday.

According to the Dunklin County Prosecutor's Office, Shawn Morgan's murder trial was set for Monday December 10, with jury selection set to start on December 6. Dunklin County Prosecutor Stephen Sokoloff announced Wednesday he will seek the death sentence against Morgan. 

Morgan pleaded not guilty in court in December 2011, and his lawyers filed a change of venue request. The request was granted with stipulations, meaning the trial will still be in Dunklin County, but the jury will come from Phelps County.

Morgan is charged with first degree murder, armed criminal action, tampering with evidence, child kidnapping, and possession of child pornography.

Shawn Morgan is accused of killing 3-year-old Breeann Rodriguez of Senath after police say he admitted to an agent of the Bootheel Drug Task Force that he suffocated Breeann with a trash bag after finding her standing on the ladder of his pool.

Police say he admitted to dumping her body in the floodway ditches on Missouri Highway 164. He then told police he returned home, dismantled the bike she was riding and dumped it in the same floodway ditches.

Breeann went missing Saturday August 6 while riding her bicycle in front of her home. Morgan was arrested and admitted to police that he killed her on Saturday August 13.

Breeann's body was found more than a week later on Tuesday August 16 near the floodway ditches about eight miles southeast of her family's home in Senath.

Morgan is set to appear in court again on December 10.

Region 8 News will continue to track this story and being you any updates as soon as they become available.

Copyright 2012 KAIT. All rights reserved.

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