Gorse faces first-degree murder, armed criminal action charges

POTOSI — A man facing a murder charge in Washington County has been bound over to the circuit court level for trial.

Associate Circuit Court Judge Troy Hyde bound Martin J. Gorse’s case over after hearing evidence in a preliminary hearing June 19. Gorse is charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action in connection with the April 29 shooting death of his son-in-law, 31-year-old Ronald Coleman Jr.

His case was passed to July 16 for arraignment and pre-trial motions before Circuit Court Judge Kenneth W. Pratte.

According to court documents, he posted a $750,000 surety bond Wednesday.

His bond conditions are that he be placed under house arrest and GPS monitoring at his residence. He will be allowed to leave his home for employment and medical reasons.

He was ordered not to have contact with witnesses in the case. Violating his bond conditions would result in his arrest and possible forfeiture of the bond.

According to court records, the two men were involved in a verbal altercation in April 29 at Gorse’s residence on Our Road. Coleman’s daughter attempted to step in between the two men. She said Gorse pushed her out of the way and then she heard a loud pop. She said Gorse had shot Coleman and Coleman fell to the ground, bleeding.

When Washington County deputies arrived, Gorse, who was outside with his hands raised in the area, was taken into custody. Officers later found a .45 caliber gun outside on the tailgate of a truck.

At first, Gorse said he didn’t want to talk to police. While deputies were still investigating the scene, he requested to speak to the deputy in charge. According to his account, he and Coleman were in a heated argument and his daughter got in between them so he pushed her away.

Coleman raised his fist in the air and had his other hand in his sweatshirt. He thought Coleman was going to hurt him so he shot the man.

Coleman was pronounced dead at Washington County Memorial Hospital.