Michael Limley and Christopher Helton were the main attractions during a madhouse morning on Thursday in Buchanan County Circuit Court.

The two defendants are charged with second-degree murder in the slaying of local businessman Larry Norris. Mr. Limley, 36, and Mr. Helton, 35, who both remain in custody, sat one chair apart in the jury box but didn’t interact with each another as a parade of other defendants appeared before Judge Ron Taylor.

Mr. Helton crossed his arms and rocked back and forth in his chair, waiting 30 minutes for his hearing to begin. Mr. Limley sat with his hands in his lap, while about a dozen lawyers milled about and observers tried to find an open seat during the controlled chaos.

Neither defendant spoke except to acknowledge a decision to waive their right to a preliminary hearing.

Buchanan County public defender Sue Rinne represented Mr. Helton, while Katherine Ladesh, a public defender from Chillicothe, Mo., represented Mr. Limley. County Prosecutor Dwight Scroggins appeared for the state. Mr. Taylor set the defendants’ arraignments for Oct. 19 at 8:30 a.m.

Tuesday’s hearings lasted less than five minutes combined for the two defendants, and when they concluded, the courtroom emptied.

Mr. Limley waved at family members as they exited the court but otherwise sat expressionless during the proceedings.

According to St. Joseph police detectives, Mr. Helton and Mr. Limley went to Valvoline Express Care on Gene Field Road on Aug. 25 to commit a robbery. A Deffenbaugh Disposal trash hauler discovered Mr. Norris’ body at 6:49 a.m. behind the oil-change business.

Investigators revealed Mr. Norris died from a single gunshot wound to the torso.

R.J. Cooper can be reached

at rjcooper@npgco.com.