|
|
Published September 30, 2008 12:26 am - An Oronogo man pleaded guilty Monday to second-degree murder in the death two years ago of a 2-month-old boy from Webb City.
Man pleads guilty in baby's death
By Jeff Lehr
jlehr@joplinglobe.com
An Oronogo man pleaded guilty Monday to second-degree murder in the death two years ago of a 2-month-old boy from Webb City.
Nicholas A. Hoth, 26, changed his plea to guilty in Jasper County Circuit Court with respect to the death of Zechariah Coulthard. The infant died of shaken-baby injuries he suffered while in Hoth’s care Nov. 2, 2006, at the home of the child’s mother at 515 S. Roane St. in Webb City.
The defendant’s change of plea was in accordance with an agreement with the county prosecutor’s office dismissing a second charge of assault and limiting the prison time he might be required to serve to no more than 15 years.
Circuit Judge Gayle Crane ordered completion of a sentencing-assessment report and set Dec. 1 as the date for Hoth’s sentencing.
Testimony at a preliminary hearing in May 2007 established that Hoth was dating the child’s mother, Natasha Coulthard, at the time of the baby’s death. The day in question, he was watching the child while Coulthard was away from the house with friends running errands.
Hoth told a Webb City police detective that Zechariah awoke and was crying. He told the detective that he tried to calm the infant down, but he could not and began shaking him. He told the detective that the child went limp, his eyes went “blank” and blood began oozing from his mouth.
Emergency medical help was summoned to the house, and the baby was taken to St. John’s Regional Medical Center, where doctors were suspicious of a contusion on the boy’s forehead and the blood coming from his mouth and nose. A scan showed bleeding around his brain.
At the preliminary hearing last year, Michelle Wright, who also lived at the child’s address in Webb City, testified that a similar incident took place a few days earlier when the baby was left in Hoth’s care. She said she was asleep in the home when Hoth brought the child to her twice, asking her to take him. She told the court that the baby had blood on the corner of his mouth then, and that she had cleaned him up, laid him down and given him a bottle.
Background
Nicholas Hoth’s attorney, public defender Larry Maples, tried unsuccessfully before last year’s preliminary hearing to get his client declared mentally incompetent to assist in his own defense. A psychologist testified that the defendant has an IQ of 73 on the Wexler scale, and has mental disorders secondary to alcohol use, including attention-deficit disorder, a form of chronic depression and anxiety disorder.
•
Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.
|
|
: Special Offer For New Subscribers
:


 |
|
MEMBER SERVICES ASSOCIATES
The Freeman Southwest Family YMCA in Neosho, MO has two openings for Member Services Associates. These part-t...>MORE
SERVICE COORDINATOR
SERVICE COORDINATOR, excellent career opportunity! Fulltime positions available providing case management services and a...>MORE
MARS PET CARE
in Miami Ok. is now accepting applications for a Lead A position, on 2nd or 3rd shift. The position requires a hi...>MORE
3 BOOTH RENTALS
small salon atmosphere, lots of exposure, 15th/Main. 417-529-8646...>MORE
COMMUNITY SUPPORT WORKER
COMMUNITY SUPPORT WORKER, full time, providing support and case management for adults with chronic mental illness. BS/BA...>MORE
HIRING HAIR STYLIST
NOW HIRING HAIR STYLIST. Fun and energetic salon. 417-845-0555, Tanya....>MORE
SALES
NYSE and Co., opening a new division. Will train. Looking for full-time or part-time. Call Mike, (417)448-4732....>MORE
OFFICE PERSON NEEDED
Some experience. Apply in person: Coss Painting, 712 Willard, Joplin. ...>MORE
PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR
Work along side and direct physically and mentally challenged adults in a work setting. Starts $8.00-$10.00 per hour. Co...>MORE
ATTENTION OWNER OPERATORS
we are now leasing on trucks. Call Susan at 888-379-9432 ext 102 for details. ...>MORE
See all ads |
|
PONTIAC, 1997 SUNFIRE,
2 door, automatic, low miles, very nice, $2650. 434-7382....>MORE
2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER
LS, 4X4, 80,000 miles, priced to sell, $9,000 or best offer. 417-529-1957....>MORE
CHEVROLET, 2004 SILVERADO SS,
all high gloss black paint with full bed cover, 20” chrome wheels, white face gauges, 6.0 liter engine, all wheel drive,...>MORE
1993 CHEVROLET SHORT CONVERSION
V6, loaded, cold air, good mpg, great shape, 115,000 miles, $1950. (417)385-7039...>MORE
2008 NISSAN VERSA
4-door, 4500 miles, 4 cylinder, automatic, power steering, air, AM/FM CD, power windows/locks, silver with black interio...>MORE
1997 NISSAN MAXIMA
Loaded, 98,000 miles, excellent condition, must see, $4500. 417-438-1609....>MORE
1999 FORD F350
crew cab, 7.3 diesel, 4x4, white, Astro top, best offer. 434-3995...>MORE
1984 SUZUKI SAMURAI
4x4, 4 cylinder, 5 speed, 74,500 miles, 30+ mpg, $3000. (620)856-5807 or 620-762-2155....>MORE
2007 NISSAN MURANO
All wheel drive, 47,000 miles, leather, excellent condition, received a company car and do not need extra vehicle. $17,9...>MORE
1986 FORD MUSTANG GT
Convertible, 5 speed, 112,000 miles, $3800. 417-439-1707 or 417-439-7901...>MORE
See all ads |
|
1219 XENIA COURT
OPEN SUNDAY 2-4 P.M. 3 br, 2 ba, $84,000. 629-6135....>MORE
LOMA LINDA
2 BR, 2 BA, 1 year lease, $750/$700. No pets. (417)310-0056....>MORE
HISTORICAL ROCK FILLING STATION
on Route 66 with lots of updates This solid old building has 1200 sq. ft. on 100x100 lot, on Main Street of Carter...>MORE
2 BR, 2 BA
trash/sewer provided. Quiet park. No Pets. $375/250. 417-673-7437....>MORE
2 BR, 9523 HIGHWAY NN
$450/$400; 417-592-2088....>MORE
2 BR CENTRAL HEAT/AIR,
gar, $475/$300 appliances 4117 S Pennsylvania 417-389-6737...>MORE
DEERFIELD ESTATES
in Carl Junction, prime building sites, reduced $10,000 each. 417-825-0052...>MORE
BRIARBROOK
3 BR, 2.5 ba, 1 year lease $725/$700, no pets. 417-310-0056....>MORE
ATTRACTIVE, COMFORTABLE 4 BR
3 ba, 2-level, 2600 sq. ft. home. Greystone Subdivision, $194,900. 103 Jason Blvd., Oronogo, MO. Open house, Sunday 11 a...>MORE
3 BR, 2 BA, FIREPLACE
2 car attached, corner lot. Royal Heights area. $103,500. 417-434-0502 or 417-673-5584....>MORE
See all ads |
|
WANENMACHER’S WORLD’S LARGEST
GUN SHOW -November 14 and 15. Tulsa Fairgrounds, Saturday, 8-6 p.m., Sunday 8-4 p.m. www.tulsaarmsshow.com....>MORE
KENNELL REDUCTION
Chihuahua’s and French Bulldog’s, AKC, pups to young adults, very nice, Chihuahua’s $100/up, Frenchis, $900/up. (417)394...>MORE
CHEAP PUPPIES
Border Terriers, Dachshunds, Italian Greyhound, Lhasas, Morkies, Norwich Terriers, Shih-Tzus, Standard Poodles (chocolat...>MORE
2008 POLARIS TRAILBLAZER 330
2 wheel drive, like new, $2300. (918)961-8995....>MORE
TWO LIVING ESTATE SALES, ONE SITE
Saturday, November 7, 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. 28245 Fir Road, Carl Junction, MO. Follow signs. Downsizing...>MORE
COFFEE, END AND ENTRY TABLE
coffee, end and entry tables, Nordic Track Walk Fit, sewing machine desk, (417)206-4958....>MORE
COUCH
full size, with pillows, light pastel colors, lavender and blue, no cats, no dogs, no kids, $150 or offer. 624-2197....>MORE
14 WEEK-10 WEEK OLD MORKIE
males, $200. Papillion females, $200. 417-548-2433....>MORE
YORKIE, POMERANIAN AND SILKY PUPPIES
wanting forever homes. Well socialized. Prices $75-$300. Early Christmas presents (417)652-7510, leave message. ...>MORE
CHIHUAHUAS
Chorkies, WaPoos, Shih-Tzus, just in time for Christmas. $85 to $250. Registered and shots 417-438-6057...>MORE
See all ads |
|
 |
|