Questions in murder case shows need for eyewitness identification reform in Missouri
Nathan Hawkins has never denied fatally shooting Eric Cooper in Monroe County nearly 25 years ago. The 42-year-old Missouri man was 19 when he was convicted of first-degree murder and armed criminal action. Thanks to the testimony of Donald “Uncle Mo” Smith, the only eyewitness to the shooting, a Monroe County jury rejected self-defense claims and found Hawkins guilty of his crimes. He has been in a Missouri prison since.









