Second man sentenced in murder of Vermillion man
12/15/2021

Jefferson Goad

(KMZA)--The second of two men charged in the death of elderly Vermillion man in 2020 has been sentenced to 23 years and 9 months in prison.

According to the Marshall County Attorney's Office, Jefferson Goad, of Waverly, was handed the sentence Tuesday in Marshall County District Court on charges of second-degree murder, aggravated robbery, aggravated burglary and arson.

He pleaded no contest to the amended charges in October stemming from the death of 83-year-old Donald McLaughlin.

Co-defendant, Jeremy Penix II, of Melvern, was sentenced last week to 25 years in prison without the possibility of parole on a charge of first-degree murder.

In addition, he received another 20 years for other crimes related to the death and for a separate case of sexual exploitation of a child. He will be eligible for parole during the 20-year sentence, which is to run consecutive to the “ hard 25” sentence.

McLaughlin's body was found inside the ruins of his burned out home on January 24, 2020.

Authorities say the two men robbed and beat Mclaughlin before setting his home on fire.


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