For Immediate Release

Contact: Lauren Trager

314-435-7186
tragerl@stlouiscao.org

Thursday, February 5, 2015, St. Louis - Today, Circuit Attorney Jennifer M. Joyce has announced that, after a thorough
investigation of the facts and circumstances conducted by her office, she has dismissed a second-degree robbery charge
against Mr. Cornealious Anderson.
Anderson was charged in connection with a robbery that occurred on Sunday, November 16, 2014 at the White Castle
located in the 800 block of S. Broadway. Two witnesses initially identified Mr. Anderson as the perpetrator. Based on
this information, a charge of second-degree robbery was filed, and Mr. Anderson posted bond the following day.
As in every case in the Circuit Attorneys Office, the investigation continued after charges were filed. Prosecutors
gathered surveillance video from area businesses and the media, interviewed additional witnesses and worked with the
defense attorney to ensure all available information was reviewed. The investigation revealed questions regarding the
procedures by which the victim and witness identified the suspect.
The exhaustive and expeditious review unearthed additional information that cast serious doubt on the case against
Mr. Anderson. On behalf of the Circuit Attorneys Office, I sincerely apologize to Mr. Anderson and thank him, his
defense attorney and area businesses for their cooperation in assisting us in getting to the truth of this matter. Their
participation was essential to this case, said Circuit Attorney Jennifer M. Joyce. Because of the immense amount of
local and national attention regarding Mr. Anderson, we wanted to immediately release this information to the media to
clear his name of the recent accusations against him.
Prosecutors are legally, ethically and morally required to seek any available evidence that could either prove a case or
exonerate a defendant. According to Joyce, this level of investigation occurs every day with every case in the Circuit
Attorneys Office.
We are duty-bound to protect the rights of all, said Circuit Attorney Joyce. We will use every legal tool available to
ensure that the correct person is charged with the correct crime. If we ever learn of information casting reasonable
doubt in a case, we immediately dismiss charges as we did in this matter.
The Circuit Attorneys Office cannot provide any additional details at this time, as the investigation into the robbery
remains open and active. Joyce said that she has spoken to the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Chief Sam Dotson about the
details her office uncovered regarding the initial investigation. The Circuit Attorneys Office is now working with police to
review internal policies and procedures in this case.
Police and prosecutors ask that anyone with any information regarding this robbery come forward immediately so that
the person who committed this robbery can be held accountable.