One of two suspects in a shooting incident that left 42-year-old Maurice Harper Sr., of Sedalia, dead on April 15, 2018, pleaded guilty to a lesser charge and was been sentenced to spend 15 years in state prison earlier this year.
According to court documents, Antonio Harper, of Maywood, Illinois, who was 30 at the time, originally was charged with Class A Felonies for Assault in the First Degree or Attempt- Serious Physical Injury or Special Victim and First-Degree Robbery; as well as Felonies for Unlawful Use of a Weapon and Armed Criminal Action. On June25, 32-year-old Antonio Harper, pleaded guilty to a Class B Felony for Burglary in the First Degree.
The other suspect, Eric Harper, of Chicago who is now 26, still is facing original charges of a Class A Felony for Assault in the First Degree or Attempt- Serious Physical Injury or Special Victim; a Class E Felony for Unlawful Use of a Weapon- Exhibiting; and an Unclassified Felony for Armed Criminal Action.
Eric Harper’s next hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Friday, August 2, at Pettis County Circuit Court. At this time, Harper’s three-day jury trial is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, October 22.