Stout will serve

10 years for

burglaries

Tyler J. Stout, 20, was sentenced to 10 years in prison on Thursday in Buchanan County Circuit Court after pleading guilty to two counts of second-degree burglary.

Mr. Stout's plea agreement asked for five-year sentences on each count to be served consecutively, which Judge Dan Kellogg followed.

Assistant prosecutor Ron Holiday told the court that Mr. Stout was involved in a large-scale burglary ring that targeted churches, schools, businesses and residents in Buchanan County. The prosecutor added that the defendant confessed to six robberies but likely was involved in more.

"This man wrecked havoc on the community, and I believe he needs a stiff punishment," Mr. Holiday said.

The defendant's attorney, Jim Nadolski, told Mr. Kellogg that his client really had no choice but to accept the prosecution's plea offer even if they thought it was harsh.

For his part, Mr. Stout, who fought back tears, told the judge, "I apologize to the court for everything I've done. ... I have no excuse for what I have done. I was just involved with the wrong kind of people. Your honor, I just hope you show a little leniency."

Before issuing his sentence, Mr. Kellogg told the defendant, "It's a shame you put your family through this. It's a shame you put the victims through this. Youthful mistakes are one thing, but when you follow a pattern like this ..."

Mr. Stout sat in the jury box after hearing his sentence, putting his hands over his head and sobbing as an another prisoner patted him on the back.

Trial reset

in alleged

oxycodone death

GALLATIN, Mo. - A jury trial was rescheduled Thursday for a Gallatin, Mo., man charged in connection with the drug-related death of another Daviess County man.

Kevin Caldwell is charged with first-degree involuntary manslaughter in the death of Bo Eaton, who overdosed on the drug oxycodone. Mr. Eaton died in February 2008.

According to an electronic court filing, Associate Judge Jason Kanoy granted a defense request to continue Mr. Caldwell's trial from Oct. 21 and 22 to April 29 and 30, 2010. Mr. Kanoy also scheduled a March 26 pre-trial conference.

Mr. Caldwell is also charged with felony distributing a controlled substance near schools.

Patrol troopers and the Daviess County Sheriff's Department had investigated Mr. Eaton's death prior to the filing of charges.

Compiled by R.J. Cooper, who can be reached at rjcooper@npgco.com,

and Ray Scherer, who can be reached at rscherer@npgco.com.

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