Judge Expected to Give Verdict on Steak 'n Shake Murders Today

St. Louis County Circuit Court Judge Richard C. Bresnahan is expected to give a verdict in the Steak ‘n Shake murder case against Oundre Akins today at 9 a.m.

Akins faces two counts of first-degree murder and one count of first-degree robber in the Steak ‘n Shake robbery and shootings Nov. 10, 2008. Two Steak ‘n Shake employees were killed in the early morning robbery, Tammy Cantrell and Mark Gerstner.

Akins’ brother, Anthony Akins, also faces murder and robbery charges in the shootings at the Steak ‘n Shake restaurant at 5828 South Lindbergh Blvd.

On Wednesday, defense attorney Donald Lee Catlett requested that Bresnahan set a separate day for sentencing. Bresnahan replied that he would consider Catlett’s request.

The trial featured a videotaped confession that included Oundre Akins describing how he shot Cantrell and Gerstner.

Catlett objected to admitting the video into evidence because he said Oundre Akins asked for an attorney before giving the confession.

A St. Louis County detective said Akins wasn’t asking for a lawyer, but used that as leverage in challenging him to produce evidence that placed him at the murder scene.

Catlett also argued that Oundre was protecting his brother by claiming to have shot both Cantrell and Gerstner. He said the positions the bodies were found in do not match Oundre’s descriptions.

Patch will provide an update on the verdict later today.

For more information on the Steak ‘n Shake murder trials on Mehlville-Oakville Patch, see the following articles:

• Live: Oundre Akins Murder Trial
• Videotaped Confession Shows Oundre Akins Describing Steak 'n Shake Murders
• Steak 'n Shake Murder Trial Heads into Second Day; Prosecutors Face Setback
• Wrongful Death Suit Filed After 2008 Steak 'n Shake Murder