Murder trial now unfolding

A Pattonsburg man, Kevin Harmon, is standing trial for the 2004 murder of Steven Dale Lawrence of McFall. The trial began Monday in Plattsburg, where it had been transferred from Daviess County on a change of venue.

The alleged crime occurred Aug. 4, 2004, when Kevin Harmon and Brandon Anderson, both of Pattonsburg, assaulted Lawrence at the Midway Tavern in Pattonsburg, then forcibly placed him in their trunk. They then drove to an abandoned farmhouse northwest of Pattonsburg where they beat him and slashed his throat, leaving his body in a brushy area under a tree.

Harmon is charged with first degree murder, kidnaping and armed criminal action. Brandon Anderson faces the same charges, but no trial date has been set.

Harmon and Anderson are believed to have been trying to get information from Lawrence as to the whereabouts of Charles Corder of Coffey, who had stabbed Brandon Anderson’s brother, Casey. Corder lived in a trailer behind Lawrence’s residence at that time. Corder was convicted of felony assault and sentenced to five years in prison for the stabbing in August, 2005, and was later released and placed on five years probation.

Witnesses in the trial include Lawrence’s father, who found his son’s body, and Harmon’s son. Also admitted into evidence will be the defendant’s verbal and written statements acknowledging his participation, as well as tire tracks, DNA blood evidence, blood-soaked carpet, detailed maps, pictures, and a dental partial used by the victim.

Robert Ahsens III, an assistant Missouri attorney general, was selected by Daviess County Prosecutor Julia Filley as the lead attorney for the prosecution.

Sheri Nelson is the lead attorney from the public defender’s office. The defense will contend that it was Mr. Anderson who killed Lawrence as he sought vengeance for the stabbing of his brother.

The jury began deliberations on the case at about 1 p.m. today (Wednesday).