MICHAEL BASSMEMIER
WHITE CO., Ill. - White County State's Attorney Denton Aud has announce another plea in his courtroom, as negotiated with one of the suspects in the Matz burglary dating back to August.
Michael R. Bassemier, 49, of Carmi, entered an open plea of guilty to a Class 2 felony Burglary charge in the case; Aud said that a Class 3 felony charge of Theft was dismissed per the open plea.
Bassemier is one of the individuals originally charged in regards to the burglary and theft of the Matz residence while Donna Matz and her family were at the funeral of her husband, local businessman Hank Matz, who died in a car crash the previous week.
Bassemier had originally been charged with a Class 3 felony offense of Theft for being in possession of stolen property; however, Bassemier did what is called an "open plea" of guilty to an added charge of Burglary, a Class 2 felony. An "open plea" of guilty is where the defendant pleads guilty without knowing what the sentence will be. A sentencing hearing has been set for January 30, 2017 at 1:30 p.m.
At this sentencing hearing, evidence in aggravation and mitigation can be presented to the judge, victims and other witnesses can testify, and the attorneys make arguments for what they believe is an appropriate sentence. Ultimately, the judge decides as to what sentence to impose. Under Illinois law, a Class 2 felony can result in a sentence of anywhere between 3-7 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections or of the defendant being placed on probation or conditional discharge up to a total of 4 years.
Bassemier also agreed to restitution being ordered in the amount of $4,930 joint and several with 2016-CF-129, People v. Charla Beth Sullivan and 2016-CF-130, People v. Mark S. Keller, as well an additional amount of $43,804 joint and several with 2016-CF-130, People v. Mark S. Keller.
Judge T. Scott Webb will be the sentencing judge. State's Attorney Denton Aud represents the State of Illinois. Bassemier is represented by Public Defender Brian Shinkle. The White County Sheriff's Department was the agency that successfully investigated the case