Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Blankenship appeal dismissed

Former O'Sullivan Industries official Gary Reed Blankenship's appeal of his conviction on sex charges was officially dismissed June 18, according to McDonald County Circuit Court records.

Blankenship filed a motion June 16 asking that his case be dismissed.

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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