Sentencing set for Neosho man for kidnapping conspiracy that led to Joplin man's murder

A 1:30 p.m. November 7 sentencing hearing has been scheduled in U. S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri for a Neosho man who pleaded guilty April 27 to involvement in a kidnapping conspiracy.

Lawrence William "Scary Larry" Vaughan, 51, is one of five people who have pleaded to the guilty to the kidnapping conspiracy that led to the 2020 murder of Michael James Hall, Joplin.

A change of plea hearing had been scheduled for May 1 for Freddie Tilton, 50, Joplin, the man who allegedly killed Hall, but that hearing was canceled and court files indicate Tilton's trial is scheduled for September 25 in Springfield.

The others who have pleaded guilty are Amy Kay Thomas, 40, Webb City, Russell Eugene Hurtt, 51, Joplin, James B. Gibson, 41, Webb City, and Carla Jo Ward, 47, Joplin.

Hall's decomposing body was discovered by Joplin Police Department officers and Newton County Sheriff's Office deputies as they were executing a search warrant at 3517 Cherry Road in Joplin July 28, 2020.

Details of the kidnapping and murder can be found at this link.