The man accused of murdering a Wright City man in a dispute over a PlayStation video game last summer pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 25 years in prison. Leon Steward, 24, entered his pleas in a …
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The man accused of murdering a Wright City man in a dispute over a PlayStation video game last summer pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 25 years in prison. Leon Steward, 24, entered his pleas in a hearing held Monday afternoon before Judge Ted Clint House. Steward, of St. Louis, was charged in the murder of 22-year-old Jonathan C. Reid stemming from a July 13, 2008, incident at a residence located at 120 South Elm in Wright City. Reid was shot in the chest, face and neck at close range, according to investigators. Reid was flown to St. John's Mercy Medical Center in Creve Coeur where he died later that evening. Also wounded in the incident was 59-year-old Sharon Bush who lived at the residence. Bush was shot in the arm but was not seriously injured. In exchange for a guilty plea, first-degree murder charges were dropped and reduced to second-degree charges according to prosecutors. He also pled guilty to six counts of armed criminal action, four counts of first-degree endangering the welfare of a child and second-degree assault. A jury trial had been set to begin Nov. 9. Steward had pled not guilty to all charges Jan. 6. Besides receiving 25 years for second-degree murder, House sentenced Steward to 10 years for each armed criminal action count, seven years for each first-degree endangering the welfare of a child count and seven years for second-degree assault. The sentences will run concurrently. Warren County Prosecutor Mike Wright said Steward must serve 85 percent - or around 21 years - of the 25-year sentence before he is eligible for parole. "I think it's a very good disposition all the way around," Wright said. "It's appropriate. It's justice under the circumstances. We are truly and deeply sorry for Jonathan Reid's family." During the preliminary hearing, Sgt. Tim Fagan, an officer with the Major Case Squad, testified that Steward admitted to shooting Reid during questioning at the Warren County Jail following his arrest July 15. Fagan said an argument started over a PlayStation video game system between Reid and Steward. Fagan testified that Steward bought a handgun for $150 from the Wentzville Wal-Mart before arriving in Wright City from St. Louis. The shooting occurred in the living room of the home. Six children were at the residence at the time of the murder. Steward was on the run for two days until he was apprehended. Reid and two others present at the residence were also carrying guns on the day of the murder, Fagan said in response to questioning by Public Defender Milan Berry at the preliminary hearing. Five others are facing felony charges stemming from Reid's murder. Kevin M. Harrison, 19, is facing the same charges as Steward, including first-degree murder. According to the probable cause statement, Harrison assisted Steward in the murder. Wright didn't rule out a possible plea bargain for Harrison, whose next court appearance is Nov. 3. "We will be talking with Kevin Harrison's attorney in hopes of working out a disposition," Wright said. Others charged with felony tampering are Heather Dowdy and Sandy Crawford, both of Wright City; and Antwan Jefferson, address unknown. During the investigation, authorities learned all three individuals helped dispose of the handgun believed to have been used in the crime. Also charged was Semona L. Jones, of Wright City. She has been charged with hindering prosecution. Police said Jones gave Steward a ride to Hazelwood following the murder.