Homeowner charged with murder in 2025 shooting issued summons

A West Plains man charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action who failed to
appear for a court date in late April has been issued a summons for a counsel status hearing on
May 18.
Larry R. Lindeman, 76, was charged by grand jury indictment Feb. 25. A warrant was issued
with a $100,000 bond, which was posted two days later, according to court records.
The indictment followed a fatal shooting on Nov. 8, 2025. It alleges Lindeman knowingly caused
the death of a victim by shooting him after deliberation. Following a change of judge request by
Howell County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Rizwan Ahad, 44th Circuit Judge R. Craig Carter
will now preside over the case.
On March 16, Lindeman was present for a bond appearance before 37th Circuit Presiding
Judge Steven Privette with proposed attorney Jacob Garrett. At that time, Lindeman waived
formal arraignment and pleaded not guilty.
Court records show Carter was assigned the case March 31. Lindeman was scheduled to
appear for a counsel status hearing April 20 in Howell County but failed to appear in person or
through an attorney. Records noted it was unclear if Lindeman has retained counsel; he will be
referred to a public defender if he is unable to afford an attorney.

Case Background
At about 7:30 p.m. Nov. 8, West Plains police investigated a report that a man had been shot
and killed at a local residence. According to a probable cause statement submitted by Detective
Sgt. Aaron Galiher, two men entered the home intending to steal. One of the men, identified as
Hayden Hilleman, 23, was shot and killed by the property owner inside the residence.
A second man, Keith Geringer, 32, of West Plains, is charged with first-degree burglary and
second-degree murder. The murder charge stems from allegations that the death occurred
during the perpetration of a felony.
In a post-Miranda interview, Geringer reportedly told Galiher he and Hilleman entered the home
through the basement before going upstairs, where the shooting occurred. Geringer allegedly
told investigators Hilleman had been stealing from the house for several weeks.
Geringer was arrested Nov. 20, 2025. He pleaded not guilty the following day and remains in
custody on a $100,000 bond. Court records show Geringer was on probation following a 2024
misdemeanor fourth-degree domestic assault conviction. On Jan. 7, he was sentenced to six
months in jail for failing to complete a required violence education treatment option.
A jury trial for Geringer is scheduled to begin Oct. 21 before Privette. He is represented by
Public Defender Thomas Flack.