Guilty Verdict For One Brother In Steak ‘N Shake Murders

CLAYTON, MO. (KPLR) – A guilty verdict today for the man accused in the murder of two Steak ‘n’ Shake employees in South St. Louis County in 2008.  In a bench trial, St. Louis County Circuit Court Judge Richard Bresnahan found 23 year old Oundr’e Akins guilty on all six counts of the brutal double murder.

Akins was convicted of shooting and killing 44 Tammy Cantrell and 24 year old Mark Gerstner. Both were employees at a South County Steak ‘N’ Shake on Lindbergh.  The murders happened inside the restaurant back in the early morning hours of November 10th 2008. Akins shot Cantrell six times, then took Gerstner to the freezer and shot and killed him there.  Family members of the victims say they are pleased with the guilty verdict but it is a first step.

Cheryl Cantrell, sister of murder victim Tammy Cantrell, said “justice will never bring my sister back. Justice put a man prison but prison doesn’t bring my sister back.”

And the step-father of Gerstner said, “it’s awesome you know justice is being served a little bit. It’s just a devastating ordeal.”

Sentencing for Akins is set for March 21st.  He faces life in prison without parole.  Prosecutors considered seeking the death penalty but they withdrew that plan when he agreed to go to trial before a judge.  St. Louis County Prosecutor Bob McCulloch said, “We’re pleased first of all that this part of the case is over and that the verdict was reached and think that’s the appropriate verdict in this case based upon all the evidence.”

Akins brother, Anthony Akins, is also charged in the murders.  His trial is set for July.

Prosecutors are pursuing the death penalty against him.

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