Sentencing Monday for Joplin man who savagely beat, killed his girlfriend

A Joplin man who pleaded guilty April 3 to murdering his girlfriend will be sentenced Monday in Jasper County Circuit Court.

Under a plea bargain agreement with the Jasper County Prosecuting Attorney's office, Casey L. Malone, 40, would receive a 25-year sentence with the charge against him reduced from first degree murder to second degree murder.

The final decision will go to Judge Gayle Crane, who does not have to accept the agreement.

Malone administered the beating that led to the death of his girlfriend, Ann McCrary, 63, on January 18, 2021.