Man gets 35 years for 2013 homicide in Sikeston

BENTON, Mo. -- A man will spend 35 years in prison in connection with the 2013 death of a Sikeston, Missouri, resident during a family gathering.

Joseph Thornton, 27, had entered guilty pleas Sept. 30 for the death of Jeremy Johnson and multiple assaults of others at a party April 28, 2013, in Sikeston.

During the party, Thornton had argued with someone attending the event and was asked to leave by the homeowner. The Sikeston Department of Public Safety's investigation found that Thornton, his wife and child got into his vehicle but instead of leaving, Thornton drove back into the driveway, where he struck Michael Seuell.

The vehicle continued to accelerate, hitting several other people before coming to rest on top of Johnson, who was seated in a chair under the carport.

Scott County Prosecuting Attorney Paul Boyd noted the Sikeston Department of Public Safety's police and fire division responded within minutes to extricate Johnson. However, he later died from his injuries.

In addition to Johnson, two 3-year-old boys were struck, a 4-year-old girl and an adult, Kendrick Thatch, who had both legs broken as he attempted to keep another child from being hit by the vehicle. The two boys were treated and released from the hospital; the girl suffered a broken jaw and burns to her legs and face and continues to recover from her injuries.

After considering the sentence advisory report, hearing testimony from the mother of one of the children injured during the incident and seeing photos of injuries and the recovery progress of a child as well as hearing statements on behalf of the defendant, an apology from Thornton and arguments by Boyd and the defense attorney Friday, Circuit Judge Benjamin Lewis sentenced Thornton to 20 years for second-degree murder. That sentence will run consecutively to a 15-year sentence imposed for the assault on Seuell, resulting in a 35-year sentence. Boyd stated Thornton will have to serve approximately 30 years in prison before being eligible for parole.