The sentence was imposed after Schoeberl overruled the motion by Meerwald's lawyer, public defender Charles G. Oppelt to suppress evidence obtained during his May 3 arrest in Joplin and Meerwald withdrew his not guilty plea.
The case had been scheduled for a December 12 trial in McDonald County, where it had been moved on a change of venue.
The drunk driving arrest occurred while Meerwald, 65, Noel, was awaiting trial on a McDonald County DWI charge.
An off-duty Joplin Police Department officer noticed Meerwald behaving erratically while he was at Hideout Harley Davidson and became concerned that Meerwald might drive when he left the business.
From the probable cause statement:
As Meerwald was leaving the store, he was stumbling and staggering as he walked toward the front door.
Upon opening the door, Meerwald almost fell onto the ground.
The officer informed me of the male and advised if he were to leave while operating a vehicle he needed to be stopped immediately.
I observed (Meerwald) driving his 2016 Chevrolet Colorado eastbound out of the parking lot. I initiated an investigative traffic stop on the vehicle and made contact with Meerwald. I observed a strong odor of intoxicants coming from his person and his eyes to be bloodshot/glassy.
From the probable cause statement:
As Meerwald was leaving the store, he was stumbling and staggering as he walked toward the front door.
Upon opening the door, Meerwald almost fell onto the ground.
The officer informed me of the male and advised if he were to leave while operating a vehicle he needed to be stopped immediately.
I observed (Meerwald) driving his 2016 Chevrolet Colorado eastbound out of the parking lot. I initiated an investigative traffic stop on the vehicle and made contact with Meerwald. I observed a strong odor of intoxicants coming from his person and his eyes to be bloodshot/glassy.
Meerwald pleaded guilty to the McDonald County DWI November 14, under a plea bargain agreement that would ensure him of receiving a concurrent four-year sentence.
Judge Kevin Selby has the option of not accepting the plea bargain. Sentencing in that case is scheduled for 9 a.m. January 30.
Meerwald was the driver who was behind the wheel and driving impaired on July 30, 2004 on MO 86 when he ran off the road and killed Jessica Mann, 8, Joplin, and her grandfather, Jim Dodson, 69, Neosho.
The vehicle Meerwald was driving at a high rate of speed ran off Highway 86 and ran into the eight-year-old and her grandfather killing them.
He pleaded guilty to two counts of involuntary manslaughter and served time in prison.
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Two murders that shocked southwest Missouri- two children, two small towns changed forever. Lost Angels: The Murders of Rowan Ford and Doug Ringler is available in paperback and e-book formats from Amazon.
2 comments:
Why do we tolerate drunk driving in this way? He murdered a little girl and her grandfather, and has learned nothing. How can he only receive four years in prison?
The man probably most likely has strong republican ties that allowed him to go free too many times to allow him to commit this crime, yes it is a crime, and will continue to allow him to terrorize the country.
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