Man sentenced to 40 years in prison for 2013 Columbia killing

A Boone County Judge Thursday morning sentenced Domionte Cheatum to 40 years in prison for a 2013 drug-related killing in Columbia.

Judge Christine Carpenter sentenced Cheatum Thursday. A jury in June convicted Cheatum of second degree murder, first degree robbery and armed criminal action for the June 2013 killing of Anthony Unger near Robinson’s Cleaners on Conley.

Columbia Police and prosecutors have said the murder was drug-related. Boone County Assistant Prosecutor Stephanie Morrell told the jury that Unger was shot six times.

The Columbia Police Department’s probable cause statement quotes Samuel Butler as telling police that a drug deal was occurring and that an individual named “Racks” shot Unger. Butler testified for the prosecution at Cheatum’s trial, and the murder charge against Butler was later amended and dismissed. Butler has since pleaded guilty to attempted distribution of a controlled substance and will be sentenced in September.

Butler told the court during Cheatum’s June trial that he arranged the deal between Cheatum and Unger, saying he met Cheatum that day. Butler added he had no idea that Cheatum was going to rob Unger. Cheatum’s lawyers questioned Butler’s credibility during the trial.