A 39 year old Vandalia man, who had been facing a charge of attempted murder, plead guilty to a lesser count last week in Fayette County court and received probation. 39 year old Travis E. Stewart pleaded guilty to a charge of aggravated discharge of a firearm from the shooting incident that occurred on April 5th of last year in Vandalia. Upon investigation of the incident last year, Vandalia Police found a large hole in a cabinet door inside the residence allegedly from a shot. And, upon examining the complainant’s car Police observed shotgun pellets had penetrated the front passenger fender, the hood and the windshield of the vehicle. Police investigation found the incident allegedly arose over an altercation that began in a residence on North 5th street. At the time, Stewart was arrested on four pending counts of aggravated discharge of a firearm. Those charges were later amended and a count of Attempted Murder was added. But, that count and two other counts were dismissed in the guilty plea. Stewart was sentenced to 36 months probation and 11 days in jail with credit for time served and he was also ordered to pay fines.
Meanwhile, Fayette County States’ Attorney Joshua Morrison says the plea agreement was prefaced off the wishes of the victim in the case. Morrison says the victim actually asked that all charges be dropped, but Morrison said that wasn’t possible with the circumstances. Morrison says with the please, Stewart still will lose the ability to have a FOID Card or to own a gun.