An Adair County man has entered a guilty plea in the case of a 2024 murder in the Montpelier community.
59-year-old Joseph E. South entered a guilty plea this week on charges including murder in the shooting death of 86-year-old Earl M. Coffey on March 23, 2024.
South rented a home from Coffey and was reportedly served an eviction notice about two weeks prior to the shooting. Prosecutors say South went to Coffey’s residence that morning and fired about 30 rounds into the residence, fatally striking Coffey.
According to The Adair County Community Voice, South’s plea deal recommends a total sentence of 40 years, and he would not be eligible for parole until 2058.
South is scheduled to appear in Adair Circuit Court for formal sentencing on May 26.
