CARTHAGE — Two southwest Missouri men have pleaded not guilty to charges in the stabbing deaths of a Jasper County sheriff's reserve officer and his wife.
Matthew Laurin of Springfield and Darren Winans of Jasper were being held without bond after their arrests Monday. They're accused in the Oct. 11, deaths of 70-year-old Robert Sheldon, and his 71-year-old wife, Ellen Sheldon, at the couple's home near Carthage.
Laurin and Winans are charged with two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of armed criminal action and one count of burglary.
The Joplin Globe reported that both men waived arraignment Thursday and entered pleas of not guilty in Jasper County court. Both are being represented by public defenders.
The next hearing has been set for July 22.