Updated October 2, 2012: A suspect in the murder of a Goodman, Missouri man pleads not guilty.
Caleb Saddler is accused of shooting and killing Michael Smith, 31, in McDonald County in May then burning the body in a barrel and disposing of it on his grandparent's property.
Saddler is charged with first degree murder.
His next court appearance is set for December 11.
Posted May 24, 2012 and updated May 29, 2012: A Texas man charged with the murder of a McDonald County, Missouri man enters a not guilty plea.
Caleb Saddler, 26 of Del Rio, Texas, was in court today (Tuesday May 29) and entered a not guilty plea to charges of first degree murder and armed criminal action.
Witnesses say Saddler shot Mike Smith, 31, in the head.
Investigators say witnesses reported the shooting followed a dispute between the men May 17 or early Friday the 18th at a home on B Highway west of Goodman, Missouri. One person claims to have witnessed the actual shooting.
A second witness says Saddler burned Smith's body in a 55 gallon barrel, topped with concrete.
That barrel was found on Trout Farm Road in a trash pit on Saddlers grandparents property in rural McDonald County.
The witnesses are cooperating but authorities say there is a possibility that they too could face charges.
Saddler was arrested by Texas authorities on Thursday May 24.
The sheriff's department says they have recovered the gun used in Smith's murder.
Smith leaves behind three children.