ST. GEORGE – A murder case involving a LaVerkin man may be resolved in the coming weeks as a potential plea deal moves forward.
Though John Stettler Stucki, 55, of LaVerkin, pleaded not guilty to first-degree felony murder charge in 5th District Court Thursday, his attorney said he was considering taking a plea offer.
“We do have a plea offer in this case he is thinking he’d like to accept if it’s under the same terms that (Deputy Washington County Attorney Zachary Weiland) previously advised,” Edward Flint, Stucki’s attorney, said. “It’s just a matter of some time to put the paperwork together, perhaps two weeks.”
Flint had previously submitted a motion to quash a bind over order that bound Stucki for trial on the murder charge. He argued the state hadn’t provided significant evidence for the charge, but possibly enough a lower charge of manslaughter or homicide by assault. However, with a potential plea offer in the works, Flint withdrew the motion Thursday.
Fifth District Judge John Walton scheduled Stucki’s next hearing for Dec. 18 at 9 a.m.
Stucki was arrested in October 2013, following an altercation between himself and 64-year-old Donald George Loomer. The two had been drinking and got into a fight. During the fight, Loomer allegedly smashed a coffee mug into the side of Stucki’s face. At some point after that, Stucki allegedly hit Loomer in the head with a 4-foot-long, 2-inch-wide branch. The impact from the blow left Loomer unconscious.
Loomer was flown to Las Vegas for treatment where he ultimately died from his injuries.
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- Assault charges substituted for murder charges against LaVerkin man
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You cannot charge a dead person with aggravated assault but wasn’t that considered relevant here? Two drunks brawling. One is head upside the head with a blunt object, remains conscious and reactively hits the other with a convenient object. Even if it was not self-defense it was a response from an injured person to his assailant. How is that anything but negligent homicide, or homicide…through stupidity? Sober, each of these men apparently found the other worthwhile to know. Drunk, neither was worth anything to the other. It seems they took their chances one too many times….
I completely agree with you. Murder is quite a stretch, just look at this guys injuries, I highly doubt their altercation was intended to end with murder. That is the unfortunate part of drugs and alcohol – I hope this guy learns, heals and gets help through whatever sentence they give him.
Another example of one of southern Utah’s finest citizens! Can you say DIXIE?
Two drunken vagrants having a good ol’ fashioned brawl. accidents happen…
I’m sure If this was a married family man and a registered voter we would be reading a different story