Charge downgraded for Columbia man accused of murdering family member

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Columbia man accused of murdering a man last year saw one of his charges downgraded on Monday.

Samuel E. Brotherton, 22, is now charged with second-degree murder and armed criminal action. He was previously charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action.

Brotherton is being held at the Boone County Jail without bond. A plea hearing is set for 11:30 a.m. Monday at the Boone County Courthouse.

The new charge was a result of plea negotiations, according to online court records.

According to previous reporting, court records state Brotherton called dispatch and said he had shot his father, Rollin G. Thompson, 64, on March 20 in the 3800 block of Pinecrest Drive.

Police found Thompson with a gunshot wound inside the residence; Thompson was then taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Brotherton allegedly told dispatch that he had an argument with Thompson and decided to shoot him.

A man at the home where the shooting occurred who identified himself as a family member said Brotherton was Thompson's stepson.