Carter receives maximum for 2018 death

A Poplar Bluff man was sentenced Tuesday afternoon to the maximum for the 2018 death of another man, who died as the result of a “fight that got out of control.”

Having taken the sentencing of Skylar Thomas Carter under advisement last week, Presiding Circuit Judge Michael Pritchett announced the 26-year-old’s sentence, giving “him 10 years, which is the maximum,” said Butler County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Matt Michel.

Carter pleaded guilty in February to the Class C felony of first-degree involuntary manslaughter.

It alleged on Nov. 17, 2018, Carter recklessly caused the death of Daniel Lashley by striking him.

The 59-year-old Poplar Bluff man died from blunt-force trauma to his chest.

Last week, Pritchett heard arguments from Butler County Prosecuting Attorney Kacey Proctor and Carter’s attorney, who asked for 10 years and five or six years, respectively.

Lashley’s sister and niece also made victim-impact statements and asked the judge to sentence Carter to 10 years in prison.

No further testimony was presented Tuesday, Michel said.

Pritchett, he said, thanked everybody for their arguments and told Carter “there are consequences for your actions and gave him the 10 years.”

According to earlier reports, Lashley was found breathing, but unresponsive, in a ditch on the south side of Henry Street. He later died at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center.

During the investigation, witnesses reported Lashley had been involved in a fight in the ditch with a suspect, who was identified as Carter.

At the time of Carter’s plea, his attorney told the judge, his client had punched and kicked Lashley, which caused his injuries.