Shelby Co. (ECWd) –
Prior to former State’s Attorney Nichole Kroncke leaving office, Steven Decker was charged with multiple felonies and misdemeanors related to his driving through a cemetery in Moweaqua. We understand at least 16 headstones were destroyed among other damage to the property. We provided that information in this article.
In August of 2023, the locally alleged “incompetent” State’s Attorney Rob Hanlon, to the contrary, added a higher felony charge overlooked by the prior SA. That charge included damage to 10 or more gravestones, a Class 3 felony. We covered that in this article.
On August 21, 2024, in a plea deal with the current State’s Attorney, Ruth Woolery, Decker pleaded guilty to Count 1, driving on a Revoked/Suspended License/DUI, a class 4 felony. In exchange for that plea, all other charges that included felonies and misdemeanors were dropped. He agreed to receive 12 months’ probation, no contact or entry with Tolley Cemetary, Restitution of $2,000.00 to the named victim, $25/Month PSF, $100 Fine, plus assessments, 30 days in Shelby County Jail with no day-for-day credit, 3 days credit for time served (27 days in jail).
We do not know who the named victim is that will receive $2,000.00, but suspect it would be the cemetery. I think it’s safe to say the restitution will not cover the damages to the headstones destroyed by his actions.
Stay tuned for a future article regarding a child rapist plea deal that will result in less than 2 years in jail as long as he behaves.
4 Comments
John Pogue
Posted at 17:43h, 04 SeptemberWho was his attorney? F. Lee Bailey? No money for damages. Where is the hoopla against the SA by Dr Boehm ? Crickets!!
Dave
Posted at 15:49h, 05 SeptemberWow, no real justice for 16 people in Moweaqua. I guess the 16 individuals can sue for damages but they really shouldn’t have to. The action by Decker is outrageous.
Dogs: there is a typo “Decker pleaded guilty to County 1” pretty sure you meant count 1
Robert Hanlon
Posted at 10:05h, 06 SeptemberFor this complete sweetheart deal, Mr. Decker was represented by Thomas O. Finks. I’ve been told that Mrs. Woolery had Mr. Finks serve on her “hiring committee” for potential ASAs. So why didn’t she seek the appointment of a special prosecutor to avoid the appearance of impropriety? Did she even think about that issue?. How many more sweetheart deals will Mr. Finks obtain?
While I was the Shelby County State’s Attorney, I refused to have any plea with Mr. Decker that did not include DOC time and $20,000 for the restitution amount. Restitution is mandatory, how did the restitution go all the way down to $2,000? What was represented to the court as to the actual costs of the 100+yrs old headstones. I was clearly familiar with the facts which including his “booze crusin” and the fact that the vehicle license plate was left at the scene of the crime. I would rather lose that case at trial than give that kind of deal. There was an admission that he was driving that vehicle that later that same evening (after the travel through the cemetery) crashed in a separate location. What was the great defense? There was no defense. Not factually and not legally? The state could have a monkey could try that case and win. Nothing articulated to me suggested such a slight sentence, but she forgot the slap on the wrist. This was not Mr. Decker’s first DUI. Perhaps a proper inquiry of Ms. Woolery is how many prior DUI’s was Mr. Decker previously convicted. When he kills someone, that blood will be on Mrs. Woolery’s hands. This stinks like a rotting corpse. And Dr. Boehm’s web page is likely silent or filled with another illogical missive.
Justice Seeker
Posted at 12:14h, 08 SeptemberIf this crime would have been committed in”Shelbyvile” this deal would not have been cut. Ruth Woolery and her puppeteer don’t care about Shelby county as they claim but rather to continue to serve the corrupt county seat. Does not take much to see everyone benefitting is from “Shelbyvile”.
The two groups that are really one group don’t want outsiders who won’t serve their purpose. Sadly the county lost when Rob Hanlon left but “Shelbyvile” will be served.
I hope citizens who live in the outskirts of the county rise up and demand what we deserve, which is true representation and not the e “Shelbyvile” special!
Ruth Woolery will be the worst state’s attorney we have seen and just might put the fork in Shelby county.