A judge will sentence a southern Texas County man Aug. 4 after his conviction in a 2006 crime that left one person dead.
Kurt Geise was found guilty of second-degree assault and armed criminal action after a trial in Texas County Circuit Court. Jurors recommended sentences of four and 10 years, respectively, for the elder Geise, whose two other sons are already in prison for their roles in the crime.
Authorities say an altercation occurred in the driveway of Geise’s home in extreme southeastern Texas County that left Travis Walker, 19, dead.
According to authorities, Nathanael T. “Tommy” Geise shot Walker in the chest with a shotgun at close range. He entered a guilty plea in March to voluntary manslaughter and armed criminal action and received sentences of 12 and three years, respectively. The terms are to run consecutively.
Andrew Geise, another son, admitted his role in severely beating Robert Brummitt with an aluminum bat while his father pointed a gun at Brummitt. Andrew Geise was sentenced to seven years in prison on a second-degree assault charge in October 2008 and agreed to testify against his father.
Officers said Brummitt, Walker and three others drove to the Geise residence north of Willow Springs looking for the driver of a vehicle that attempted to run their car off the road earlier that evening. Kurt Geise reportedly pulled Brummitt, the driver, from the car and held him at gunpoint while Andrew Geise beat him. Walker was also beaten by Andrew Geise before Tommy Geise fired the fatal shot, authorities said.
Kurt Geise could have been convicted of a more serious charge, second-degree murder and felonious restraint.
In was the first murder trail held in the new Texas County Justice Center.