Joplin man savagely beat, killed his girlfriend, pleaded guilty- now he wants his sentence tossed out

Less than three months into a 25-year prison sentence for the savage beating and killing of his girlfriend, a Joplin man is wanting to have his sentence set aside.

In a handwritten motion filed today in Jasper County Circuit Court, Casey Lightfoot Malone, 40, claims his lawyer did a poor job, that his sentence violates the Missouri Constitution and state and federal law, that the court had no jurisdiction and that his sentence was too long.

Malone has no money he says, since "I Casey Lightfoot Malone am incarcerated with no employment and no savings." Therefore, he is hoping that a taxpayer-funded attorney will be appointed to represent him.

Under a plea bargain agreement with the Jasper County Prosecuting Attorney's office, Malone pleaded guilty to second degree murder and was sentenced to 25 years. The original charge, first degree murder, could have brought a life sentence.

Judge Gayle Crane approved the agreement April 10 and sentenced Malone to 25 years with credit for the 811 days he had already spent in the Jasper County Jail.

Malone assaulted Ann McCrary, 63, multiple times January 18, 2021 at her home, leaving her with a broken arm and causing a brain bleed through repeated blows to her head.

McCrary died 12 days after the beating.