A Hornersville man was convicted Friday in the shooting death of David Hodge in south Dunklin County over two years ago. Prosecuting Attorney Nicholas Jain says 28 year old Brant Winkle was found guilty of first degree murder and armed criminal action.
The jury deliberated a little over four hours before returning the verdict; then it sentenced Winkle to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murder and three years in the DOC on the armed criminal action charge.
Jain said Winkle, who was on leave from the US Army, drove to Hodge’s house south of Cardwell after midnight on October 7, 2020, went to Hodge’s door and shot him twice. Winkle was later arrested after he was found in a cotton field across from the victim’s house.