Springfield man sentenced to 30 years for 2017 murder of Carthage man

During a sentencing hearing today in Jasper County Circuit Court, a Springfield man was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Tayler Anderson, 22, Carthage, on June 13, 2017, and 15 years for assault for shooting Gage Williams, 21, Carthage.

Judge Gayle Crane ordered that the sentences for Lafayette Starr, 33, be served consecutively and that he serve at least 80 percent of the time on each sentence.

Starr pleaded guilty in April under a plea bargain agreement with the Jasper County Prosecuting Attorney's office that reduced the charge from first degree to second degree murder.

The crime was described in the following June 13, 2017 Jasper County Sheriff's Office news release:

Early Tuesday Morning, June 13th, at around 1:30 a.m. deputies were called to a roadside location on Gum Road, west of Country Road 30 intersection in Sarcoxie to deal with a shooting.

Upon arrival a male subject, Tayler Anderson (22 years old from Carthage) was found deceased.

A second male subject, Gage Williams (21 years old, also from Carthage), was sent to a local hospital for treatment for a gunshot wound.

Williams is listed as being in stable condition. The victims and the suspect were familiar with each other.

At approximately 6:00 PM, 06-13-17, Springfield Police Department officers arrested Lafayette Starr, 30, on warrants related to the investigation into the homicide that occurred earlier in the day.