Man pleads guilty to attempted murder in church attack - KFVS12 News & Weather Cape Girardeau, Carbondale, Poplar Bluff

Man pleads guilty to attempted murder in church attack

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  • Heartland News

  • Wednesday, May 22 2013 8:58 PM EDT2013-05-23 00:58:57 GMT
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    A Jackson County family was stunned after learning their dog was shot and killed by police.Authorities aren’t talking, but the family is.“I was just thinking how could somebody do that to me and just leave him in my yard for me to come home and find,” Tilley said.Brittney Tilley and her dad never expected they would bury their two-year-old dog Boots so soon.The beagle and lab mix was found shot in the head on Sunday. Days later, they still don’t know what drove someone to kill the dog.“A deci...
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    A contractor for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is gearing up for a repair project on the U.S. 51 Ohio River Bridge between Wickliffe, Ky., and Cairo, Ill., that will impact truck traffic this summer.According to KYTC, trucks will be have to be rerouted for approximately 70 days beginning after June 24.KYTC District 1 spokesman Keith Todd said the agency wants truckers and suppliers who depend in the bridge to be aware of the coming project.“This project involves repairs on bridge deck s...
    A contractor for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is gearing up for a repair project on the U.S. 51 Ohio River Bridge between Wickliffe, Ky., and Cairo, Ill., that will impact truck traffic this summer.According to KYTC, trucks will be have to be rerouted for approximately 70 days beginning after June 24.KYTC District 1 spokesman Keith Todd said the agency wants truckers and suppliers who depend in the bridge to be aware of the coming project.“This project involves repairs on bridge deck s...
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    The former manager of Marion's water department pleaded guilty to federal charges she stole more than $500,000 from the southern Illinois city.
    The former manager of Marion's water department pleaded guilty to federal charges she stole more than $500,000 from the southern Illinois city.

By Heartland News

UNION COUNTY, IL (KFVS) - The man accused of beating two elderly women at an Anna church last year pleaded guilty to attempted murder.

Willis E. Bates pleaded guilty to two counts of attempted murder in connection with the September 28, 2009 attack at the Anna First Baptist Church.

Bates was sentenced to 23 years in prison for each count.

"Today's outcome was the result of extensive discussions with the victims and their families, this outcome was what the families wanted," Edmonds said. "This sentence means that Mr. Bates will serve two decades in prison and that the victims and their families won't have to step foot in a courtroom. The victims, their families, and the community now have closure and certainty regarding this case."

Union County State's Attorney Tyler Edmonds says the women have made a lot of progress and are better.

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