Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Former O'Sullivan official has change of mind; Blankenship lawyer files motion to dismiss


With just one week to go before a hearing, the lawyer for former O'Sullivan Industries official Gary Reed Blankenship has filed a motion to dismiss his attempt to have his sentence tossed.

The motion was filed Tuesday in McDonald County Circuit Court by Blankenship's attorney, Jack Brill.

Blankenship, currently a resident of the state prison at Cameron, and formerly a Neosho resident, pleaded guilty to amended charges of possession of child pornography and promoting obscenity Oct. 19, 2006. He had initially been charged with eight counts of possession of child pornography, one count of enticing a child, and one count of promoting obscene material to a minor.

Five months after the guilty plea, Blankenship filed a motion of have the sentence vacated, and a motion to proceed as a pauper, which was granted by Selby, meaning the taxpayers are footing the bill for Blankenship.

Blankenship was arrested Jan. 27, 2005, following one of former Diamond Police Department officer Jim Murray's internet sex stings.

Blankenship was sentenced to four years in prison, and has been incarcerated since Oct. 19, 2006.

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