Pierson sentenced to life in prison
Lead Summary
By
Caitlin Forsha-crforsha@gmail.com
Matthew Kaleb Pierson was sentenced to life in prison after entering a guilty plea during a motion to suppress hearing Monday afternoon in Highland County Common Pleas Court.
Pierson, 19, faced a felony charge of aggravated murder in the Aug. 12, 2012 death of his 5-year-old niece at a home in Jackson Township.
Pierson was given a "definite determinate term of life in prison with the possibility of parole after 25 years."
Pierson was credited with serving 323 days in jail.
Highland County Prosecutor Anneka Collins told The Highland County Press that she met with law enforcement officers and coworkers and consulted with others in the legal field regarding the plea offer.
Collins said that she eventually based the plea offer on a Highland County capital murder case from 2000, in which Tyler McCoy was sentenced to life in prison without eligibility for parole for 20 years. McCoy pleaded guilty to aggravated murder, kidnapping, tampering with evidence and abuse of a corpse in the case, involving a Greenfield woman.
"The sheriff's office did such an awesome job preparing this case that I wasn't afraid to take it to trial, but this way you have a guaranteed outcome," Collins said. "We know for sure he's going to prison, and [the victim] gets justice."
Collins said that there is "nothing to appeal," as Pierson waived that right.
"He is going to serve his time, and it's life, with a possibility of parole in 25 years," Collins said. "That doesn't mean he will get it. I will oppose it as long as I'm alive."
Pierson filed a motion to suppress his confession on June 14, and Collins said that she gave a plea offer within the past two weeks. Collins said that Pierson consulted with his attorneys, J.D. Wagoner and Bruce Wallace, before the motion to suppress hearing this afternoon. (Calls by The Highland County Press to Wagoner were not immediately returned.)
"They came out and asked for the plea paperwork, and he withdrew the motion to suppress and pleaded guilty," Collins said. "The judge went through everything, really specific, and put on the record that they knew they were not going to win the motion to suppress.
"The Sheriff's office did everything to a 'T,' to the book, perfect."
Collins said that she feels "justice has been served" for the victim.
"The plea has definitely been the biggest struggle I've had since I've been in the prosecutor's office," Collins said. "I just hope everyone remembers this little girl. Say an extra prayer for her tonight, and hold your kids a little closer."
Pierson, 19, faced a felony charge of aggravated murder in the Aug. 12, 2012 death of his 5-year-old niece at a home in Jackson Township.
Pierson was given a "definite determinate term of life in prison with the possibility of parole after 25 years."
Pierson was credited with serving 323 days in jail.
Highland County Prosecutor Anneka Collins told The Highland County Press that she met with law enforcement officers and coworkers and consulted with others in the legal field regarding the plea offer.
Collins said that she eventually based the plea offer on a Highland County capital murder case from 2000, in which Tyler McCoy was sentenced to life in prison without eligibility for parole for 20 years. McCoy pleaded guilty to aggravated murder, kidnapping, tampering with evidence and abuse of a corpse in the case, involving a Greenfield woman.
"The sheriff's office did such an awesome job preparing this case that I wasn't afraid to take it to trial, but this way you have a guaranteed outcome," Collins said. "We know for sure he's going to prison, and [the victim] gets justice."
Collins said that there is "nothing to appeal," as Pierson waived that right.
"He is going to serve his time, and it's life, with a possibility of parole in 25 years," Collins said. "That doesn't mean he will get it. I will oppose it as long as I'm alive."
Pierson filed a motion to suppress his confession on June 14, and Collins said that she gave a plea offer within the past two weeks. Collins said that Pierson consulted with his attorneys, J.D. Wagoner and Bruce Wallace, before the motion to suppress hearing this afternoon. (Calls by The Highland County Press to Wagoner were not immediately returned.)
"They came out and asked for the plea paperwork, and he withdrew the motion to suppress and pleaded guilty," Collins said. "The judge went through everything, really specific, and put on the record that they knew they were not going to win the motion to suppress.
"The Sheriff's office did everything to a 'T,' to the book, perfect."
Collins said that she feels "justice has been served" for the victim.
"The plea has definitely been the biggest struggle I've had since I've been in the prosecutor's office," Collins said. "I just hope everyone remembers this little girl. Say an extra prayer for her tonight, and hold your kids a little closer."