Man receives 34 year sentence in second degree murder case

 Man receives 34 year sentence in second degree murder case

Man receives 34 year sentence in second degree murder case(MGN)

By Ottumwa Courier

Published: Jan. 20, 2024 at 11:47 AM CST

OTTUMWA, Iowa (Ottumwa Courier) -Leon Leroy Stewart was sentenced to 34 years in prison after his second-degree murder charge was changed to a voluntary manslaughter charge, the Ottumwa Courier reported. The drop in charges and the 34 year sentence was part of a plea deal.

Judge Michael Carpenter gave Stewart his sentence earlier this month. The sentence was issued for three different cases. The first was for the death of 49-year-old Grant Cochran back in 2022. The second was a probation violation. The third case occurred in 2022 when Steward was arrested for driving while barred.

Cochran was found unconscious with severe injuries by Police on September 11th, 2022 at the Casey’s located at 1001 E. Main Street, Ottumwa. Cochran passed away from his injuries just a few days later. He died in Iowa City at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.

Witnesses told police that Stewart, who has also gone by Babcock, punched Cochran who then fell and hit his head on concrete.Before Stewart plead, he was charged with second-degree murder and was facing 50 years in prison. The plea deal was officially made with Wapello County Attorney Reuben Neff and adopted by the judge on January 9th at a sentencing hearing on January 9th. He was sentenced for 15 years in prison for the voluntary manslaughter charge.

Stewart was also sentenced for 15 years in prison due to the probation violation. 2, 2 year sentences were also given to Stewart for driving while barred. Stewart must serve the sentences consecutively with a maximum of 34 years