 Little Creek resident Harold Stutler (pictured left) plead guilty to second degree attempted murder yesterday before Judge David Nibert in Calhoun Circuit Court.
The plea agreement was reached between Stutler's attorney Tony Morgan and Prosecutor Matt Minney.
Stutler could still be facing up to three years in the penitentiary plus a fine.
The 67-year-old Stutler had been charged with one count of first degree attempted murder and malicious assault in a shooting incident against his brother-in-law Richard Starcher.
Nibert ordered Probation Officer Patsy McCartney to complete a pre-sentence investigation. Stutler remains free on $100,000 bond.
McCartney will present her sentencing investigation to the judge.
Stutler will return to court in April for sentencing. .
Stutler was charged after an ambush-like shooting on the remote Ace Haney Hill last August, firing his shotgun three or four times at Starcher as he drove by in his truck.
Starcher received some injuries and was taken to the hospital. His truck was hit in several places.
Stutler and Starcher had been in a family dispute over property rights on Little Creek for over a year, according to a family spokesperson. At issue was a small section of property adjacent Starcher's garage, in which Starcher did automotive repair.
Starcher and his wife, who live next door to Stutler, have been living in another state since the shooting.
Stutler is a well known Calhoun hunter, fisherman, trapper and herb digger. He has operated a root buying business at his residence for many years.
Starcher is married to Teresa Stutler Starcher, local writer and sometimes contributor to the Hur Herald.
In other cases yesterday:
Walter Wilson III entered into a plea agreement over possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver. His case is related to bringing marijuana laced brownies to Calhoun Middle/High School.
Joshua Bohn, who has been serving time in Central Regional Jail, was released on bond. He plead to a lesser sentence of battery.
Carl D. Groves appeared for arraignment related to a breaking and entering.
Justin N. Snyder plead to petit larceny, and was sentenced to 200 hours of community service, 200 hours of litter control and was ordered by Judge Nibert to make restitution to the victim.
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