NEOSHO, Mo. — A judge assessed a Neosho man seven years in prison Monday after he pleaded guilty to assaulting another man last year with a baseball bat.
Tommy D. Polk, 40, pleaded guilty in Newton County Circuit Court to a reduced count of second-degree assault in a plea agreement with the prosecutor’s office. Polk had been facing charges of first-degree assault and first-degree robbery for an attack on Michael Warren on June 4, 2011, at Warren’s apartment at 322 W. Coler St. in Neosho.
A probable-cause affidavit stated that Polk hit Warren several times in the head with a baseball bat and broke the victim’s hand in the process. The affidavit alleged that Polk then took money from Warren’s wallet.
The Newton County prosecutor’s office agreed to drop the robbery charge and amend the assault charge to second degree in exchange for the defendant’s guilty plea. As part of the plea deal, Polk waived his right to a sentencing-assessment report.
Circuit Judge Tim Perigo assessed Polk the maximum term for a Class C felony conviction. The defendant could have faced from 10 to 30 years or up to life in prison if convicted of either of the original counts.
The case of Polk’s alleged accomplice and co-defendant, Shauna M. Weisshaar, 30, of Neosho, remains pending in Newton County Circuit Court. She also is charged with first-degree assault and first-degree robbery.
Crime & Courts
Judge assesses Neosho man seven years in prison
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