A 21-year-old Joplin man has been sentenced to 13 years in prison for shooting another man multiple times in a dispute that erupted over a drag-racing challenge.
Nathan R. Spencer pleaded guilty Friday to Class A and Class B felony counts of first-degree assault and to armed criminal action in a plea deal with the Newton County prosecutor’s office.
Spencer shot Andrew Yaple in the arm, side and back of his head with a .22-caliber, semiautomatic handgun on March 3, 2010, near 41st Street and Joplin Avenue. Yaple, who was 22 years old at the time and 24 today, survived the shooting but still suffers from a related seizure disorder and nerve damage to his arm.
Joplin police say Spencer and Yaple met in the parking lot of May’s Drug Warehouse, 3222 S. Main St., for the purpose of drag racing after exchanging taunting text messages. The shooting took place after they left the lot in their vehicles to drag race at another location.
But Spencer reportedly stopped his car, blocking the pickup truck Yaple was driving, and got out and started shooting at him. Kathleen Miller, an assistant prosecutor, said police believe that about 13 shots were fired at the truck.
A second occupant of the truck, David Adams, 23, of Neosho, escaped being struck by any of the rounds. But his presence in the vehicle provided the basis for the B felony count of assault.
The defendant’s plea bargain limited the prison time he would receive to 13 years for each of the assault convictions and five years for armed criminal action, with the terms to run concurrent. Circuit Judge Tim Perigo accepted the plea agreement and assessed the terms.
Miller said Spencer will be required to serve at least 85 percent of the prison term before he is eligible for parole.
Local News
Joplin man draws 13 years in shooting case
- Local News
-
-
Farmers Insurance teams up with Rebuild Joplin
Farmers Insurance announced Tuesday that the company will team up with Rebuild Joplin for an initiative to help the community complete its recovery efforts. The company already has placed one of its executives in Joplin, and it is pledging additional funds and volunteer hours by company workers to go toward the city’s recovery.
-
Crowder president to join MSSU staff
Alan Marble, who will retire as president of Crowder College in June, has been hired as special assistant to the president of Missouri Southern State University. “With his long experience in higher education administration and his intricate knowledge of the needs of students, we knew Dr. Marble would be a great fit at MSSU,” President Bruce Speck said in a statement that announced the transition.
-
Mike Pound: Husband helps pull off surprise for Carl Junction teacher
Keri Keckley said the key to pulling off the Sunday surprise was the deceptive minister.
Boy, if that isn’t a great opening line for a crime novel, I don’t know what is. But in this case, the line doesn’t belong in a crime novel. It belongs in this column. -
‘Letting Go Day’ planned to help clear the clutter
When Ann Leach lost most of her possessions in the tornado that struck Joplin on May 22, 2011, she realized that things don’t matter that much.
-
Arma mother facing murder charge in sleeping baby’s death
Heather Buckalew fell asleep on a couch with her 4-month-old baby after a night last summer drinking beer with her boyfriend. The boyfriend, Donald Harvey, got up to go to work a few hours later and spotted his son, lying face down on a pillow between the back of the couch and his sleeping mother.
-
Joplin residents lend a hand in Moore
Joplin is paying it forward. The day before the two-year anniversary of an EF-5 tornado leveling one-third of Joplin, pastors from Ignite Church in Joplin were in Moore, where an EF-5 spent 40 minutes on the ground on Monday.
-
Monetary donations cited as best help for Moore
Financial support for organizations providing shelter and supplies to Oklahoma tornado survivors is recommended for people who want to help. Otherwise, the word is to wait for requests.
-
Joplin man continues struggle to recover two years after tornado
As the Joplin tornado passed overhead, sweeping the house at 2430 S. Pennsylvania Ave. away in its wake, there was a moment of calm. Delbert Mcguirk was on his back in the basement, where he had sought shelter along with his wife, daughter and two grandchildren. In that moment of relative quiet, he stared up into the eye of the tornado.
-
Via Christi Health to cut up to 400 positions across state; Pittsburg impact uncertain
Via Christi Health announced Today that it would cut up to 400 positions within its system across the state of Kansas to compensate for financial challenges as a result of declining hospital and physician visits.
-
Globe reporter describes scene in Moore, Okla.
Joplin Globe Reporter Andra Stefanoni said the tornado-damaged town of Moore, Okla., is eerily reminiscent of Joplin on May 22, 2011.
- More Local News Headlines
-
