Boone County prosecutors are looking to upgrade a charge classification for a Columbia man accused in the shooting death of a St. Louis man in December.

Steven Shareil Jones, 45, is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm, a Class B felony in Missouri that can carry between 10 to 20 years in prison upon conviction.

Jones' trial in the case is set for Sept. 3.

The prosecution is seeking to upgrade the punishment level to a Class A felony. This would give the court a larger sentence threshold if Jones is found guilty at trial.

The state argued that Jones should be charged harsher due to pleading guilty in a 1997 first-degree assault charge.

Jones is accused in the death of a 42-year-old St. Louis man outside Lakeview Mall on Dec. 12, 2024.

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