Cape Girardeau man pleads guilty to attempted robbery with knife

A Cape Girardeau man arrested in February for trying to rob a cashier at knife point pleaded guilty Monday to one felony in exchange for a second felony charge being dropped.

Phil Mattingly, 44, entered a guilty plea to first-degree attempted robbery during his arraignment at the Cape Girardeau County Courthouse in Jackson. The second felony charge, armed criminal action, was dropped by the Cape Girardeau County Prosecutor's office.

Mattingly entered the plea before Circuit Court Judge William Syler. When asked by Syler what had led him to try to rob the cashier, Mattingly replied he "was seeking money to buy drugs."

On the night of Feb. 3, Mattingly tried to rob a cashier at Dollar General, 64 S. Plaza Way. He fled the scene when another employee returned from a break.

Syler set a sentencing date for May 6 for the attempted robbery charge, for which he could receive up to eight years in prison.

Patty Tucka, the assistant public defender representing Mattingly, asked the court for permission to produce a sentencing-assessment report, which could recommend a sentence of fewer than eight years. The request was granted, but assistant prosecutor Jack Koester said he intended to seek an eight-year sentence.

Mattingly remains in custody at the Cape Girardeau County jail in lieu of a $100,000 bond.

Pertinent address:

100 Court St., Jackson Mo.