Murder Trial Reset for Bonne Terre Man Accused of Murdering Farmington Hotel Owner

(Farmington) Trial dates for a Bonne Terre man accused of murdering the owner of the Farmington Holiday Inn has once again been postponed.

30-year-old Anthony Caruthers of Bonne Terre was supposed to have his jury trial September 28th through October 2nd but it has now been pushed back nearly a year to August 2nd through the 6th of 2021.

His last chance to plea bargain will now be July 16th of next year.

Caruthers allegedly killed Michael VanStavern on November 2nd of 2016.

Besides murder, Caruthers is charged with armed criminal action, burglary and four other related felonies.

38-year-old Jeremy Reed of Farmington was also charged with burglary and tampering with evidence in the case.

Reports say Reed told police Caruthers strangled VanStavern at the Red Cedar Lodge in Bonne Terre.

Reed says he was called after the murder and was asked to help dispose of the body.

The two also went to VanStavern’s apartment, allegedly robbed it and attempted to pawn the robbed items.

However, the two were captured after police pulled over VanStavern’s Porsche SUV for a traffic violation.

That’s when police found the body of VanStavern in the trunk. Reed took an alford plea two both charges, which means there was enough evidence to convict but he does not admit guilt.

Reed is in prison right now, serving 8 years for the alford plea.