Three university students plead guilty to misdemeanor trespassing in connection with December assault

NEW MADRID, Mo. -- Three Southeast Missouri State University students connected with the December assault of a student pleaded guilty before a New Madrid County judge Monday to misdemeanor trespassing charges.

Circuit Court Judge Fred W. Copeland sentenced Jared Goodson, 22, of Cape Girardeau to serve seven days in jail and Derek Gohn, 19 and Pili Showers, 21, to five days in jail.

Morley Swingle, Cape Girardeau County prosecuting attorney, said the charges against the three were originally filed as burglary. It was established that none of the three men threw punches at the victim, Blake Carlton.

Jared Goodson

Carlton was sleeping on the couch at a friend's residence at 1325 Dunklin St. when around 4:30 a.m. Dec. 13 several men came in and began to assault him. At a recent hearing, Carlton testified that he was thrown off the couch onto a coffee table. Carlton blacked out and later woke up in the bathroom with severe injuries to his face.

Gohn, Goodson and Showers were placed at the scene by Brett Jones, a 19-year-old from St. Clair, Mo., who was also charged and sentenced in connection with the assault. Jones said he saw Goodson throw a bottle and make a mess in the house and Gohn flip over a table.

A probable-cause affidavit filed in the case indicates that Antonio Garritano, another Southeast student charged in the case, hit Carlton up to 15 times. Garritano's case is still pending in Cape Girardeau County. His next hearing is set for June 28 before Circuit Court Judge William L. Syler.

Derek Gohn

ehevern@semissourian.com

388-3635

Pertinent Address:

1325 Dunklin St., Cape Girardeau, MO

450 Main St., New Madrid, MO