Jury finds Columbia shooter guilty of 2013 robbery, murder

A Kansas City man was found guilty of robbery, murder, and armed criminal action by a Boone County jury Thursday night.

The verdict came down at 8:30 p.m. after more than three hours of deliberation.

The trial began Wednesday for Domionte Cheatum.

Cheatum, who grew up in Columbia, was charged with killing Anthony Unger of Jefferson City last June 23 near Robinson’s Cleaners on Conley Road during a drug deal.

Unger was found in a car in a Conley Road parking lot near the Hy-Vee store with multiple gunshot wounds.

Security was tight in the courtroom Wednesday and Thursday, where four bailiffs were positioned.

Opening statements were given Wednesday. The jury then heard from Samuel Butler, the other man charged with murder for Unger’s death.

On Thursday, both the state and defense debated the evidence, including fingerprints, in the case.

(Editor’s note: An earlier version of the story referred to Cheatum as “a Columbia man.” Cheatum currently resides in Jackson County, and grew up in Columbia.)