Suspect extradited from federal prison in Colorado where he was being held on a weapons charge violation

Gregory Orear

General Manager/Editor

TROY – A former Wentzville man imprisoned in a federal prison returned to Lincoln County this week on charges he murdered an Elsberry resident nearly six years ago.

James Weber, 46, was extradited from the Florence, Colo., facility to Lincoln County Monday on the murder charge first filed in 2020.

Weber is accused of shooting and killing a 57-year-old Elsberry residence at the victim’s home in the 100 block of S. Sanderson Ave., on Dec. 26, 2019.

According to a probable cause statement filed a week later, Weber went to the victim’s home to steal illegal drugs.

A witness told investigators the victim was shot in the doorway to his home.

“Witness #1 stated victim #1 stated to the unknown male ‘get out of here.’ Witness #1 stated the unknown male fired a dark colored handgun,” Detective Patrick Harney stated in the probable cause stated. “After the handgun was fired, victim #1 stated ‘he shot me, I’m dying.’ Witness #1 stated the unknown male fired a second shot in an unknown direction.”

After responding to the scene, investigators followed a blood trail leading downstairs to the basement where narcotics were recovered. A .45 caliber handgun was also recovered from the scene, about 300 feet from the home.

Another witness told detectives Weber threatened to shoot him the night before the murder.

“Witness #5 stated during the time he was with James Robert Weber he pointed a handgun at witness (his) head prior to the time (the) victim was shot,” Harney reported in the probable cause statement. “ (The) witness stated Weber stated …he would not fight witness #5, but he would shoot (him). Witness stated Weber repeatedly asked … who he… could rob for narcotics.”

The witness said Weber eventually left, stating he was headed to the victim’s house.

Harney also states in the probable cause statement Weber made one more stop before going to the victim’s home.

About three hours before the murder, Weber offered to trade the gun for narcotics to another individual.

Both men would later identify the handgun allegedly recovered from the crime scene that is believed to have been used to kill the victim.

Weber was arrested Dec. 31 and charged with first-degree murder.

However, already facing a federal charge for weapons violation, he would first be convicted of that and sentenced to federal prison, where he remained until this week.

A Lincoln County grand jury indicted Weber in June 2024 on three felony charges, murder in the first degree, armed criminal action, and unlawful possession of a firearm.

He is currently in custody at the Lincoln County Jail without bond.