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CAPE GIRAREAU, Mo. (AP) - A Cape Girardeau man is facing two counts of first-degree murder in the shooting deaths of his wife and son.

The Cape Girardeau County prosecuting attorney said George Edwin Joseph was charged with murdering his wife, 57-year-old Mary Joseph, and 18-year-old son, Matthew Joseph, while they slept May 30.

Joseph was hospitalized after the shooting with a gunshot wound to the head.

The Southeast Missourian reports a probable cause statement said Joseph was depressed and facing "significant financial issues" that affected several other individuals. Police say Joseph told them he shot his wife and son so they would not face the shame of financial ruin.

Joseph is in custody on a $5 million cash-only bond.

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (AP) - A 46-year-old convicted sex offender accused of kidnapping and sexually assaulting two southeast Missouri girls has pleaded guilty to federal child pornography charges.

The U.S. Attorney's Office says Jeffrey D. Shelton, of Poplar Bluff, pleaded guilty Wednesday to production, attempted production and possession of child pornography. Sentencing is July 15.

 Prosecutors say Shelton abducted a 5-year-old child in October 2012 and produced videos of the child engaged in sexual conduct at his Butler County home. Authorities also said Shelton's cellphone contained other visual depictions of another 10-year-old child engaged in sexual activity.

Shelton spent more than 20 years in prison for kidnapping and sexually assaulting three children in Texas in the early 1990s.

JACKSON, Mo. (AP) — A southeast Missouri man has pleaded not guilty to charges that he killed two people in Cape Girardeau last month.

The Southeast Missourian reports that 22-year-old Kenneth Bell of Cape Girardeau entered the plea at a hearing Monday.

Bell is charged with first-degree murder in the deaths of Shannon James and Misty Cole. Both were shot to death Feb. 7 inside their apartment.

The next court appearance for Bell is April 18.

Witnesses told police that a confrontation began when James bumped into Bell on a sidewalk. Moments later, James and Cole were shot several times.

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (AP) - Cape Girardeau police are investigating the shooting deaths of a 43-year-old man and a 39-year-old woman.

Police said a news release that officers arrested a suspect in the shootings after responding to a call late Thursday. The two victims were shot several times.

Officers found a man hiding in an alley near the scene and arrested him after a short foot chase.

The victims' names have not been released.