A Licking man entered a guilty plea to involuntary manslaughter in Texas County Circuit Court.
Caleb J. Buckner, 25, was charged following an October 2011 incident at a bar that resulted in the death of Rickie Murray of Houston.
Buckner received a suspended imposition of a five-year prison sentence Dec. 4 and was placed on probation with several conditions, according to court records. Buckner is to pay all court costs and restitution totaling $9,000 at a minimum payment of $150 monthly.
On Oct. 8, the Licking Police Department responded to a disturbance at the Outback Bar and Grill. Following an investigation of the incident, authorities determined that Buckner struck Murray in the face, causing Murray to fall and strike his head on the pavement, according to a police report.
Murray later died at a Springfield hospital.