Career Criminal Sentenced To Ten Years For Involuntary Manslaughter:

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Billy Ray Hankins (mug shot GCSO)

A career criminal has been sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to involuntary manslaughter for the death of his wife's former boyfriend last year.

Billy R. Hankins, 57, of Springfield, was originally charged with second-degree murder but pleaded guilty to the amended charge as a prior and persistent offender yesterday (09-12-11), according to a news release from the Greene County Prosecuting Attorney’s office.



Prosecutors say Hankins attempted to run over several people in June of 2010 before he backed his truck over forty four year-old Charles Loftis near Harrison and Laurel. Loftis died from his injuries about two weeks after he was critically injured.

Court records indicate that several men went to confront Hankins for beating his wife. When authorities arrived, Hankins had already fled and a police dog was called in to track him. He was found hiding in some bushes not far from the scene of the assault.

Assault Charges Upgraded To Murder In Loftis' Death:

Billy Ray Hankins (mug shot GCSO)

A career criminal originally charged with assault for running down his wife's former boyfriend with his truck last month is now facing murder charges following the mans death.

Prosecutors say Billy Ray Hankins, 56, of Springfield, allegedly attempted to run over several people before he backed his truck over forty four year-old Charles Loftis near Harrison and Laurel. Loftis died from his injuries about two weeks after he was critically injured.

Court records indicate that a group of men went to confront Hankins for allegedly beating his wife. When authorities arrived, Hankins had already fled and a police dog was called in to track the man. Hankins was found hiding in some bushes not far from the scene of the assault.

According to court documents, Hankins allegedly told investigators his wife called six to 10 men on motorcycles and in black trucks to beat him up, and that those men shot the tires off his vehicle.

Hankins, whose preliminary hearing is set for September 30th, is being held in the Greene County jail on $200,000 bond.