On August 25, 2020, 51-year-old male Corey Montez Jordan was fatally shot in Columbia, Missouri. The incident occurred at Douglass Park, a location where Jordan had been present during a gathering. The violent encounter resulted in Jordan suffering a gunshot wound that ultimately claimed his life. The event shocked the local community and led to an immediate investigation by the Columbia Police Department to identify the perpetrator and the motive behind the killing.
Investigators
determined that the shooting stemmed from a dispute over a small amount of money during a dice game. Witnesses and evidence suggested that the altercation arose over a sum as little as three dollars. The suspect, identified as 51-year-old Rickey Lee Murry, was described in court documents as 'creeping around' the park, utilizing trees and vehicles to hide himself before opening fire on Jordan. Murry was subsequently arrested and taken into custody, facing serious charges related to the homicide.
The legal proceedings against Rickey Murry initially included a charge of first-degree murder, along with armed criminal action and unlawful possession of a firearm. However, as the case moved through the Boone County Circuit Court, prosecutors amended the primary charge. Citing potential difficulties with witness testimony if the case went to a full trial, the state reached a plea agreement with the defense. Murry pleaded guilty to the reduced charge of voluntary manslaughter, as well as the accompanying weapon charges.
During the sentencing phase, the courtroom saw emotional testimony from Corey Jordan’s family. His mother expressed strong opposition to the plea deal, telling the judge that her son’s life was taken over a trivial amount of money and arguing that Murry deserved life in prison. Despite the family's objections, Boone County Circuit Judge Brouck Jacobs accepted the plea and the recommended sentence. Rickey Lee Murry was sentenced to 18 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections for his role in the death of Corey Jordan.
