Possible plea deal has murder victim's family upset

LINCOLN COUNTY — It's been nearly eight months and the family of a Lincoln County woman still struggles to heal after her tragic death. It was Halloween night last year.

Lincoln County sheriff's investigators said 54-year-old Sherry Tobeler met Derek Williams, his mother, Patricia Ann Stroupe, and his girlfriend, Alesha Werner, at a gas station in Denver.  They say the group packed into Tobeler's truck and went to a pool hall and a bar before they arrived at Highway 150 and Mack Ballard Road. Investigators say a fight broke out and Williams ran over Tobeler in her own truck.

She died from her injuries days later.

Authorities arrested Williams on suspicionof second-degree murder, his mother and girlfriend arrested for accessory after the fact.

Now, months after the crime, Tobeler's family prepares to head to court this week.  Family members say attorneys for the three suspects have struck a plea deal with the district attorney that could result in a shorter sentence.

"I don't think a plea bargain is fair to someone losing their life," says Charles Malcolm, the victim's brother.

"They didn't give Sherry a plea.  She didn't get to plea for her life," says Susie Malcolm, the victim's sister-in-law.

The suspects will appear in court on Tuesday and Wednesday this week.

Channel 9 will provide updates on wsoctv.com.

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