Final Suspect in Courson Murder Case Pleads Guilty

(GALLATIN)

The final suspect in a case that resulted in the death of a rural Edgewood man has pled guilty to residential burglary and aggravated battery in the matter.

29-year-old Christopher Gallatin of Centralia entered the guilty pleas Monday during a hearing in Clay County Circuit Court.

Gallatin was charged with Walter West of Edgewood and Jamie Charlton of Salem in the September 2021 death of 80-year-old Roger Courson at his rural Edgewood home. West later pled guilty to first degree murder in February of 2023 and was sentenced to 30 years in prison. He also received a five-year prison term for an attempted jailbreak.

Clay County State's Attorney Phillip Givens said that while the murder charges are now not pending against Gallatin, he is still extended term eligible. Gallatin could be sentenced to up to 40 years in prison.

Gallatin is to be sentenced on April 19.

Charlton pleaded guilty to residential burglary in May of 2023 for his role in the incident and was sentenced to 15 years in prison.