Macon man pleads guilty to murder

TROY, Mo. -- A central Missouri man faces life in prison after pleading guilty to the murder and robbery of a 75-year-old man in January 2002.

Gary Campbell, 21, of Macon, pleaded guilty Tuesday in Lincoln County Circuit Court to first-degree murder, first-degree robbery and second-degree arson in the death of Frank Shimek of Goldsberry.

The case moved from Macon County on a change of venue.

As part of Campbell's plea agreement, the death penalty was ruled out. He also faces 10 to 30 years in prison on the robbery charge and as many as seven years in prison on the arson charge.

His sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 28.

Ten other people were also charged with crimes relating to the robbery and killing of Shimek during an ice storm. Shimek was found fatally shot the morning of Jan. 30, 2002, and a large safe was taken from a padlocked room in the rural house where he lived alone.

The structure was torched in a blaze so hot it blistered paint on Shimek's old cars, which were parked across his property. Investigators determined Shimek had been shot before the fire was set.

Three of the 10 are awaiting trial on charges of first-degree murder, robbery and armed criminal action: Jessica D. Groza, 21, of Macon; Nathan Edward Wolfe, 19, of Anabel; and Ryan Paul Graham, 19, of Macon.

Two men who had been accused of murder pleaded guilty to lesser charges of second-degree burglary, felony stealing and second-degree arson: Nicholas R. Kearns, 22, who listed addresses in Macon and Raymore, and Gary Campbell's brother, Kyle Anthony Campbell, 19, of Macon. Both are awaiting sentencing.

Five people have pleaded guilty to crimes related to Shimek's stolen property and have been sentenced.

One man, Clyde Edward Giles, 39, of Elmer, pleaded guilty to tampering with evidence and receiving stolen property.

Four others pleaded guilty to receiving stolen property: Giles' wife, Sherry Lea Giles, 42, of Elmer; her son, Lester Lee Newcomer, 21, of Elmer; Newcomer's girlfriend, Connie Marie Campbell, 18, of Moberly; and Kearns' girlfriend, Jennifer Lynne Willis, 19, of Macon.

Terms of their sentences were not immediately available.