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Murder on Springfield's Commercial Street

By KSPR News

Story Created: Jul 1, 2008

Story Updated: Jul 1, 2008

There was a murder on Springfield's North Side Monday morning. Prosecutors say a 71 year old man was kicked to death near Broadway and Commercial.

The victim is identified as William Wetter. Charged with second degree murder is 29 year old Bobby Cope.

Police say Cope and Wetter got into an argument. Cope told cops he pushed Wetter to the ground and kicked him in the head.

Cope is being held on $100,000 bond.

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Wednesday, Jul 2 at 11:49 PM Look up bi-polar: get facts: wrote ...

Diagnosis is based on the self-reported experiences of the patient as well as abnormalities in behavior reported by family members, friends or co-workers, followed by secondary signs observed by a psychiatrist, nurse, social worker, clinical psychologist or other clinician in a clinical assessment. *****There is a list of criteria that must be met for someone to be so diagnosed.****** These depend on both the presence and duration of certain signs and symptoms.

Wednesday, Jul 2 at 11:19 PM bobby's sister in law wrote ...

yet, you still don't know what goes on inside his head. not even his mom does. can you imagine what she's going thru right now? she hasn't stopped crying since she's found out, and all you can do is sit here and bad mouth her eldest son. his own medicine is being in and out of treatment facilities with no help. he has 2 kids he don't see, plus him and his ex-wife's still born son. you didn't see how bad that played on him. I did. quit instigating arguments.

Tuesday, Jul 1 at 11:35 PM bobby's sister in law wrote ...

thank you david. i've known bobby for 8 years now, and never known him to be 'well'. if you don't know what goes on inside someone's brain who has this disorder, then you shouldn't judge. he's a great guy when he's on his up days, even tho he is an in law of mine, lol. i know that a mental disorder doesn't excuse him, in his twisted mind he did choose to kick him, but as i said, it's twisted. i could bet that he'll go into psych when all's done, and then he'll be medicated with no personality.

Tuesday, Jul 1 at 10:43 PM Jennifer wrote ...

Indeed, I have not only been _around_ "mentally ill" people, I have been the victim of their behavior as well. I have seen the negative behavior patterns of "bi-polar" disorder, and witnessed them being exacerbated by family members who coddle and enable the behavior of the "mentally ill" person. I have also seen it change dramatically without treatment when the coddling stops. This guy needs a heaping spoonful of his own medicine!

Tuesday, Jul 1 at 5:23 PM David wrote ...

To his sister, It looks like Jennifer , and Anonymous , have not been around mentally ill people. It usually takes a person to do something like this , to have a chance to get help. Hopefully if he gets sent to prison , they will give him the help he needs.

Tuesday, Jul 1 at 2:39 PM Jennifer wrote ...

A disorder can be created for any existing negative behavior pattern. Each of us is fully responsible for our actions, and lack of maturity, forethought, self-discipline and self-control are entirely inexcusable when the actions one *chooses* to take result in loss of life. There is ALWAYS a choice, and no institution can be blamed for the actions of a single human being who obviously never learned his limits.

Tuesday, Jul 1 at 10:39 AM bobby's sister and sister in law wrote ...

We're not asking for anyone to forgive him or anything but give him a break. He has bi-polar disorder and had just gotten out of treatment and had nowhere to go. If your treatment facilities would have taken their time letting him out, his mom or someone could have came and gotten him, making this situation non-existant. I would put partial blame on the facility for being negligent in letting out a man with violent tendencies. He's been in trouble for arson, as well.