An Osage County man who pleaded no contest to killing an elderly Vermilion man nearly two years ago is now spending the next 25 years in prison.
Jeremy Penix II of Melvern was sentenced this week in Marshall County District Court to life in prison with no chance of parole for at least 25 years for his involvement in the death of 83-year-old Donald McLaughlin in January 2020. Penix had pleaded no contest in October to first-degree murder, aggravated robbery and arson.
KMZA says McLaughlin’s body was found inside his burned-out home, sparking an investigation that involved numerous agencies, including the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, Marshall County Sheriff’s Office, Office of the Kansas Fire Marshal, the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism and sheriff’s offices in Coffey, Osage, Jackson and Shawnee counties.
Co-defendant Jefferson Goad of Waverly is set for sentencing Tuesday on charges of second-degree murder, aggravated robbery, aggravated burglary and arson.
