A Lincoln man accused of murder plead guilty to a lesser charge and was sentenced to spend up to eight years in state prison on Friday, November 9, in Benton County.
According to a probable-cause statement, authorities say 22-year-old William Heffernan shot to death 27-year-old Caleb Shephard at a mobile home park just outside the city limits of Lincoln on January 12, 2018.
According to online court documents, Heffernan was originally charged with a Class A Felony for Murder in the Second Degree; a Class E Felony for Tampering with Physical Evidence in a Felony Prosecution; and an Unclassified Felony for Armed Criminal Action.
Heffernan entered a plea of not guilty during his arraignment on March 7. However, updated court documents say the court was informed Heffernan’s lawyer and the prosecutor reached a plea agreement.
During the plea hearing on November 9, Heffernan entered a plea of guilty to a Class C Felony for Involuntary Manslaughter in the First Degree; a Class E Felony for Tampering with Physical Evidence in a Felony Prosecution; and an Unclassified Felony for Armed Criminal Action. The court then sentenced Heffernan to spend eight years for the involuntary manslaughter charge; three years for armed criminal action; and two years for the tampering charge with the sentences to run concurrent.
After the sentencing, Heffernan was remanded into the custody of the Benton County Sheriff’s Office for delivery to the Missouri Department of Corrections.