Sullivan sentenced for murder, again:This time he admits beating Johnson to death for $800
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Sullivan, 40, entered a guilty plea to charges of second-degree murder and especially aggravated robbery in front of a special judge in Fayetteville, on the eve of what would have been his re-trial for the homicide. He will be required to serve 100 percent of his sentence before first chance of parole.
“He’s 40 now, so he’ll be a very old man before his first chance of release,” said District Attorney General Dale Potter, who said the victim’s family was pleased with the plea agreement.
During his plea appearance, Sullivan admitted publicly for the first time he was the one who beat the 63-year-old victim to death behind Johnson’s trailer on Old Smithville Road in May 2000. Sullivan reportedly admitted his guilt to his first attorney, Bart Stanley, while the two talked at the jail just after Sullivan’s arrest. The admission was overheard by a deputy but the court said the deputy could not testify to what he heard because it was an invasion of attorney-client confidentiality.
Sullivan went on to tell the court he went to Sullivan’s home with Margie Farley, noting the victim sometimes slept with Farley for money. Sullivan said they intended to rob Johnson, knowing the victim often had large amounts of money. Sullivan confessed he was high on meth at the time, adding he took the $800 from Johnson’s body after he beat him to death.
Sullivan’s plea came even as a jury was being assembled to re-hear his case. Sullivan was convicted of the murder last year but the conviction was overturned because prosecutors failed to tell the defense that Farley had changed her story and was blaming another man for the robbery and murder.
As for Farley, given a 37-year sentence for robbery and facilitation of murder, she is now eligible for parole since she is required to serve only 30 percent of her sentence, not counting time off for good behavior. Potter said he has sent a letter to the parole board asking she not be granted parole.
The plea marks the fifth murder plea of the year, leaving only the murder case against local daycare owner Sherry Mathis for the death of her 6-year-old ward as the lone local homicide yet to be heard. It is docketed for September.
The prior pleas included life in prison for Jody Lee McCormick for the strangulation death of car dealer Junior Tanner, life without parole for Ruben Pimentel for the burning death of Gina Thompson, and 36 years apiece for Franklin De La Cruz and Luiz Gomez for helping in the Thompson murder.
Timeline of Sullivan case
May 5, 2000 – Louie Johnson found beaten to death
May 12, 2000 – Eric Sullivan and Margie Farley arrested for the murder; Sullivan overheard by deputy confessing to his attorney, Bart Stanley
Jan. 22, 2003 – Stanley, now circuit court judge, recused from case
Aug. 8, 2003 – Jury finds Sullivan guilty
Oct. 9, 2003 – Sullivan sentenced to 45 years
Jan. 30, 2004 – Murder conviction overturned
June 7, 2005 – Sullivan pleads guilty to second-degree murder, sentenced to 35 years