Murder trial begins for Sturgeon man accused of killing his father
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The jurors have been selected for a murder trial underway in Boone County.
Dalton Perkins, 33, of Sturgeon, is charged with second-degree murder, two counts of armed criminal action, one count of first-degree domestic assault and a count of unlawful use of a weapon for the death of a 56-year-old man in May 2025.
Perkins' two-day jury trial with Judge Benjamin Miller began at 9 a.m. Wednesday.
During opening statements, one of the prosecuting attorneys confirmed the victim's identity as 56-year-old Steven Perkins, Dalton's father.
In court, Dalton Perkins' defense attorney claimed there was another gun in the house; the attorney said that Dalton shot Steven in self-defense, fearing he would get that gun.
The prosecution called a Boone County Joint Communications phone operator -- who answered the call made by Dalton Perkins' mother -- to the stand. Dalton Perkins was seen crying in court as the call played.
On the stand, the Columbia police officer who found Dalton Perkins that night said he recognized him from going to high school together. Two Boone County deputies and a crime scene investigator were also called to the stand.
Court was released for the night on Wednesday just before 6 p.m., and the Judge said court will resume at 8 a.m. Thursday. The trial is expected to take two days, but could go on until Friday.
Deputies were called to the 18900 block of Route NN in northern Boone County at about 8 p.m. May 3, 2025, after Perkins allegedly shot the victim during a fight, according to the probable cause statement. The man had at least one gunshot wound to the torso and died at the scene despite being given life-saving aid, court documents in previous reporting say.
The witness who reported the shooting said Perkins shot at them, grabbed their hair and threw them from the porch, documents say.
According to Missouri law, Perkins' second-degree murder charge is classified as a Class A felony that has a potential sentence of 10-30 years or life in prison. Perkins' first-degree domestic assault charge is a Class B felony that carries a sentence of five to 15 years.
Armed criminal action charges carry a sentence of three to 15 years. Perkins' unlawful use of a weapon charge is classified as a Class E felony and has a maximum sentence of four years, if found guilty.
