Two sentenced to life for 2017 fatal shooting at Frank’s Drive-In in Meridian

Published 11:00 am Wednesday, June 19, 2019

Two defendants in a 2017 murder in Meridian are headed to prison. 

Dystiny D. Davis, 27, and Meundre Donshay Sanders, 23, both received life sentences for their roles in an armed robbery that killed Robert Trout on Oct. 16, 2017, according to the District Attorney’s office.

Trout, 52, died from gunshot wounds sustained during a robbery at Frank’s Drive-In, on Fifth Street, which he owned and operated. Three other victims were seriously wounded during the robbery.

Davis and Sanders pleaded guilty to capital murder and three counts of aggravated assault on June 10 and received life sentences, as well as three 20-year sentences for the non-fatal injuries, on June 17.

A Lauderdale County grand jury indicted Sanders and Davis in March 2018.

Police in Killeen, Texas arrested Davis and Sanders, both of Meridian, on Nov. 21, 2017 nearly a month after the fatal shooting after receiving a tip about their location.

Christopher Sanders, a relative of Meundre Sanders, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and accessory after the fact to capital murder for his role in disposing the firearm used in the murder. Christopher Sanders will serve ten years in prison followed by five year of post-release supervision.

“Unfortunately, nothing we do can bring Mr. Trout back, or erase the trauma the other three victims must relive daily, but hopefully these convictions and sentences will lead to healing for Mr. Trout’s family and the other victims involved,” Kassie Coleman, the District Attorney for the 10th Circuit, said in a statement. “All of the victims and their families will remain in our prayers.”