Burglary accomplice sentenced to 8 years; murder charge dismissed in fatal home intrusion

Published 5:00 pm Saturday, October 24, 2026

A West Plains man involved in a November 2025 home intrusion that ended in the fatal shooting of his accomplice has been sentenced to eight years in state prison after accepting a plea deal.

Keith W. Geringer, 33, pleaded guilty Oct. 5 in Howell County Circuit Court to class B felony first-degree burglary. In exchange for his guilty plea, state prosecutors dismissed a class A felony charge of second-degree felony murder.

According to a statement issued by the Howell County Sheriff’s Office, Geringer was transported on Wednesday to the Fulton Reception and Diagnostic Center to begin serving his eight-year sentence in the Missouri Department of Corrections. Court records show he is to be credited with time served; Geringer has been held in the Howell County Jail since his November arrest.

The charges stemmed from a Nov. 8, 2025, incident at a residence on Paula Drive in West Plains. Probable cause statements filed by law enforcement state Geringer and 23-year-old Hayden Hilleman entered the home through the basement with the intent to steal items. While inside, the homeowner, Larry Lindeman, 77, allegedly opened fire with a shotgun, fatally striking Hilleman. Geringer fled the scene following the gunfire and was later apprehended by West Plains police.

Under Missouri law, a person can be charged with felony murder if a death occurs during the commission of certain felony crimes, even if the defendant did not directly fire the fatal shot. Prosecutors originally levied the second-degree murder charge against Geringer under that statutory provision.

Geringer’s plea agreement was finalized in front of Presiding Judge Steven A. Privette just weeks before his case was scheduled to go to a two-day jury trial on Wednesday.

PUBLIC DEFENDER CHALLENGE STILL PENDING IN LINDEMAN CASE

Meanwhile, court proceedings remain stalled in the case against Lindeman, who faces felony charges of first-degree murder and armed criminal action in connection with Hilleman’s death. Court records show Lindeman claims he acted in self-defense under Missouri’s “Castle Doctrine” while taking inventory of items stolen during previous break-ins.

The court is considering a motion filed Sept. 30 by Assistant Public Defender Thomas Flack asking 44th Circuit Special Judge R. Craig Carter to rescind his order appointing the Missouri State Public Defender system to represent Lindeman.

Flack argued the circuit court “lacked authority and abused its discretion” in making an independent indigency finding on Sept. 24, noting Lindeman had previously been denied public defender services in June because his annual household income and available assets exceeded state eligibility thresholds. Flack emphasized that Lindeman demonstrated financial means by posting a $100,000 cash/surety bond immediately following his arrest in February.

Although court dockets initially scheduled a Webex hearing for this past Monday, court notices confirm the setting was established as a counsel representation deadline. Judge Carter has scheduled a formal Webex motion hearing to be held the afternoon of Nov. 10 to address the public defender’s motion to rescind appointment.