Farmington Man Guilty of Murder

(Farmington, MO) A Farmington man, 44 year old Christopher Lewis Gates, is scheduled to be sentenced October 28th for the murder of 48 year old Heather Huffman. Gates was convicted of the murder after a bench trial this week in St. Francois County Court. Reports indicate deputies were called to a Wolf Creek Road residence Saturday, June 15th, of 2019, where Gates' girlfriend, Heather Huffman, was discovered dead. She was covered in blood and had been beaten to death. There were also several blunt objects found that were said to have been used to beat Huffman. Authorities say Gates admitted to killing her. Gates faces life in prison on a first degree murder charge and 3 to 15 years for armed criminal action. He could also receive up to 4 years for resisting arrest.