Suspects In Bethel Street Robbery-Murder Enter Pleas

Three men charged in connection to a robbery and murder on Short Bethel Street in January appeared for their arraignment in Christian Circuit Court Wednesday morning.

Shakkory Willis, James Yates and Lane Carter appeared before Judge John Atkins via video conference from the Christian County Jail. Public Defender Eric Bearden represented Willis and Carter and stood in for Yates’ defense attorney Michael Thompson, who was not in court. Bearden entered not guilty pleas on behalf of the three suspects.

Judge Atkins scheduled a pretrial conference for the three suspects next month.

right-click to download mp3
Willis is charged with murder, first-degree burglary, first-degree robbery, and second-degree unlawful transaction with a minor. His co-defendants, Yates and Carter, are facing charges of first-degree complicity to burglary, first-degree complicity to robbery, and second-degree unlawful transaction with a minor.

The charges stem from January 24 when police said the three men, along with a 14-year old juvenile, kicked in the door to a home located at 1923 Short Bethel Street with the intent to rob 19-year old Dylan Stewart and 20-year old Corvyan Thomas of drugs and money.

During a preliminary hearing in Christian District Court in February, a police detective testified Willis shot Stewart in the leg and shot Thomas three times with a 9mm handgun, resulting in his death.