Hearing Monday for Joplin man charged with Christmas Eve 2017 murder

A 9 a.m. pre-trial conference is scheduled Monday in Jasper County Circuit Court for Artilius Jordan, 48, Joplin, who is charged with first degree murder in connection with the December 24, 2017 shooting death of Sean Harris, 43, Joplin.

Jordan shot Sean Harris in cold blood because he believed Harris was having sex with Jordan's girlfriend, according to the probable cause statement.

Jordan went to a home at 627 S. Byers Avenue where his girlfriend was and where Harris was visiting to confront him, according to the statement. Jordan was accompanied by Moses Ramsey and Joseph Czahor.

Harris was coming down the stairs of the apartment building when Jordan pulled a handgun and with Ramsey's encouragement, shot Harris at least twice, with one of the shots hitting him in the chest, according to the probable cause statement. Harris died at Freeman West Hospital.

Ramsey was initially also charged with first degree murder, but the charge was later dropped.

The case against Jordan has been on hold after Judge Gayle Crane ordered a mental evaluation to determine if Jordan is capable of assisting in his own defense.

As he was waiting for a bed to open at the hospital in Fulton, Jordan sent a letter to Judge Crane alleging that Jasper County jailers were putting something in his food.

In the letter, Jordan insisted he did not kill Harris.

That's not what happened and i'm going to prove it to the court, if God is willing and i am still living. 

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