Morehouse, MO man convicted of murder in rural Pulaski County, IL
ULLIN, Ill. (KBSI) – A Morehouse man was convicted of murder and other charges in connection with a death in rural Pulaski County.
James A. Merritt, 35, of Morehouse, Mo. was convicted of murder in the second degree (Class A felony) – life sentence, armed criminal action (unclassified felony) – 20 year sentence, tampering with physical evidence (Class E felony) – four year sentence and trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation (unclassified felony) – five year sentence plus $25,000 fee.
The charges all stem after a body was found in rural Pulaski County, Illinois in March of 2020.
“The investigative efforts of the ISP agents and forensic scientists involved in this investigation are to be commended,” said ISP Zone 7 Commander, Captain Nicholas Dill. “I’d also like to express our appreciation to the Missouri Highway Patrol for their collaboration in this investigation. The cooperation between the state law enforcement agencies on both sides of the river resulted in a successful investigation and conviction.”
The body of an unknown female was found concealed inside a suitcase in the Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge in rural Pulaski County on March 26, 2020.
ISP agents searched through missing person records and believed the body was 18-year-old Haley Decker of Normal, Ill. Decker was reported missing on March 4, 2020. Fingerprints were taken and the identity of the body was confirmed to be Decker.
Agents connected Decker through digital evidence to Merritt’s home in Morehouse, Mo.
ISP, Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control and the FBI executed a search warrant at Merritt’s home on April 16, 2020.
The search warrant led to evidence that proved Decker had once lived with Merritt, according to Illinois State Police.
Other evidence obtained during the search warrant revealed enough information to charge Merritt with trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation. He was arrested.
As the investigation progressed, it was determined that Merritt was responsible for the death of Decker.
Merritt was also charged with murder, armed criminal action and tampering with physical evidence on April 20, 2020.
He was convicted of all charges in a New Madrid County, Mo. court on January 26, 2024.
Merritt’s formal sentencing hearing was conducted on March 13.
The Normal Police Department in Illinois and New Madrid County Sheriff’s Office, Sikeston Department of Public Safety, Cape Girardeau Police Department and the Morehouse Police Department in Missouri investigated.
