Poplar Bluff man sentenced to 35 in prison for murder, unlawful possession of firearm

MALDEN, Mo. (KBSI) – A Poplar Bluff who was found guilty of murder and unlawful possession of a firearm was sentenced to more than three decades behind bars.

David Lee Anderson, 35 of Poplar Bluff was sentenced to 35 years in prison.

He was found guilty of murder and unlawful possession of a firearm and

Anderson was found guilty after a one-day trial in front of Senior Judge Fred Copeland on October 23.

On Monday, December 18, Judge Copeland sentenced Anderson to 25 years in prison for murder in the second degree and 10 years in prison for unlawful use of a weapon.

The Malden Police Department received calls of gunshots being fired near North Kimball and East Peck Streets on March 18, 2018.

When police arrived, they found Geoffrey Wright, 46, of Malden, Missouri laying dead across the front seats of his vehicle.

An eyewitness told police that Anderson approached Wright and after their brief conversation became heated, Anderson shot Wright multiple times.

Anderson left the scene and was arrested in Hayti Heights the next day.

Judge Copeland considered the defendant’s prior convictions for assault and robbery during the sentencing.

The Malden Police Department, Dunklin County Sheriff’s Office and Missouri State Highway Patrol investigated the case.