An Licking man has pleaded guilty to charges stemming from a stabbing death incident last March.
According to Texas County Prosecuting attorney Parke Stevens Jr., Nolan Decker, 42, of Licking, pleaded guilty last week for actions that occurred March 11, 2016, on Old Salem Road in Licking. After a street fight that led to the stabbing death of Mark Bryson, 42, of Licking, Decker was arrested and charged with second-degree murder and armed criminal action, and held without bond. The murder charge was later changed to voluntary manslaughter.
Decker was on probation in Phelps and Dent counties, and subsequently had his probations revoked.
Judge William Hickle presided over the plea proceedings and sentenced Decker to 18 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections.
After a thorough investigation by the Licking Police Department, Missouri State Highway Patrol and Texas County Sheriff’s Department, a probable cause statement and evidence was submitted to the Stevens for review. Based on the evidence, a Texas County grand jury indicted Decker and requested a warrant for his arrest.
“Ultimately, this individual will be serving consecutive prison time for this heinous act and will be 60 years old before he is released from prison,” Stevens said. “The evidence proves beyond a reasonable doubt that Nolan Decker was responsible for the death of Mark Bryson.
“I want to express sorrow for the family and friends of Mark Bryson and hopes their grieving is lessened now that Mark’s killer has been punished,” Stevens said.