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Welch pleads guilty

By The News Tribune

Man was driver in wreck that killed two family members, injured two others

Published: Wednesday, July 30, 2008 4:53 PM CDT
The Russellville man charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter and two counts of second-degree assault entered a plea of guilty Tuesday in Cole County Circuit Court.

Larry Welch was indicted by the Cole County Grand Jury in December for being drunk and causing a crash on Nov. 4, 2007, that killed two members of a Russellville Family.

Welch, 55, was charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter for the deaths of Jean Olsen, 45, and her son, Tobias Olsen, 17.

Welch also was charged with two counts of second-degree assault for injuring Johanna Olsen, 14, and Eric Olsen, 41, father and husband of the other victims.

The Missouri Highway Patrol said Eric was driving the family car when Welch's truck crossed the center line of Route C, west of Route U in western Cole County. Olsen swerved to avoid a collision, but Welch's truck hit the car on the passenger side.

Cole County Prosecuting Attorney Mark Richardson was prepared to present the case Thursday to a jury, which would have been selected from Franklin County on Wednesday.

Instead, a sentencing hearing will be held at 11 a.m. Friday morning before Cole County Circuit Judge Richard Callahan. The judge expects to reflect on the case over the weekend and make a decision early next week, according to Anji Gandhi of Richardson's office.

Welch faces a minimum of a fine and a maximum of seven years in prison for the second-degree charges and a minimum of five years up to a maximum of 15 years in prison for the first-degree offenses. The sentences could run concurrently or consecutively.


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Thanks.

JCpatriot wrote on Aug 6, 2008 8:05 PM:

" Editor Rick,
okay, I on this DWI guy, maybe its on the other blog of him & victims family? I guess i'm answering too many of these.lol Its easy to do when there more than one article of the same situation, I'll check the other one its probably still on there? Sorry for the mix up Bro. "

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online_editor wrote on Aug 6, 2008 11:44 AM:

" JCpatriot: I haven't removed any comments from you from this article. I suspect you're confusing this article with a later article about the sentencing that you commented upon. --Rick Brown, online editor, News Tribune "

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JCpatriot wrote on Aug 6, 2008 9:01 AM:

" Online Editor,
Why did you take my blog out? I only said the name "Mr. Welch" who already was convicted being tried for Judge/ sentencing. I said the Family's name that I prayed for is that why?

Also where is my blog wrong for using these two names that were already named in you NT article i was responding to? I guess I can't say his or there names before you & judge say it? I would like to know why? I'm not slandering ?

I accidently use slang cuss word, I understood use the other word he____ I use heck I guess? I feel your being alittle too picky with some of my articles why? "

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nevr4get wrote on Aug 4, 2008 10:20 PM:

" I knew Larry W. for a long time. There were plenty of chances for him to turn his life around. I believe you can choose your own destiny and he chose his. I also worked with Jean. What a wonderful person she was. I for one would say quit blaming the alcohol, or drugs, he made the decision to ruin his life, hold him responsible and move on. Jean had a love for life, and that has come to a halt. If Larry has a love for life, he can make a difference also, whether he's in prison or not. I do believe he needs to serve his time. "

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shinymcshine wrote on Aug 1, 2008 3:30 PM:

" TRIAL......not trail.
sorry "

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shinymcshine wrote on Aug 1, 2008 3:27 PM:

" I figured he'd take it to trail too, Winky. What's he got to lose. Even if its just a 1% chance of winning, that's better than the 100% he has of dying in prison he gets with a guilty plea. Additionally, Welch is a person of considerable means. He's owner or part owner in a lot of property in the area. With the guilty plea, I'd say that's bound to effect any civil suit the victim family may have.
We'll see what the court gives him but given his past "second chances" that obviously failed, I don't know how you can justify anything but the max. "

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gofish wrote on Aug 1, 2008 1:40 PM:

" That's just my two cents of unresearched opinion, so treat it as that, not fact. "

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gofish wrote on Aug 1, 2008 1:40 PM:

" Agreed, Alcoholism has a genetic link, which is why I think it is considered a disease. Without the person's cooperation, the disease lies dormant until activated.

However, there are two types of alcoholism and everything else in between. On one pole there is a chemical addiction, which is more the disease part, because the body controls the addictive nature, cravings, etc. On the other pole is Pyschological dependence which I believe is more self inflicted and symptomatic of other problems in the person's life. I think this is less of a disease process and more of a mental health issue. In between you have a mixture of both, poly-substance abuse, and varying degrees of how "bad" the problem is. "

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online_editor wrote on Aug 1, 2008 12:25 PM:

" I removed a comment that contained a specific allegation of possible wrongdoing against some individuals which hasn't been reported publicly. --Rick Brown, online editor, News Tribune "

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Mac1974 wrote on Aug 1, 2008 12:02 PM:

" ~~~Do you feel that by labeling alcohol abuse a "disease" (i.e. alcoholism) we are enabling people to act in a socially unacceptable manner~~~

Alcoholism is a disease because it meets 5 criteria like any other disorder (for lack of a better word) that's labeled a disease. Now, do we say it's not a disease because it's self-inflicted. Maybe, but then we can't call the most common type of diabetes or gastritis or pancreatitis diseases since they are all the result of poor or negative lifestyle choices (just like alcoholism).

Yes Wink, I would consider it a disease, but I would not excuse the bad behavior associated with it. "

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momof1 wrote on Aug 1, 2008 9:44 AM:

" I just don't think we should judge these people so harshly. I actually feel very sorry for them (sorrier for their victims, though). Some addicts truly can't help theirselves, that's a fact. I've been there and seen it.
I'm sure that Mr. Welch would never ever have done anything to kill someone if he were sober and in his right mind. Alcohol consumed and controlled him.
He drank, he drove, he killed two people. He's responsible even if he didn't mean to hurt anyone, he still is responsible for his actions and he should be put away. I just say we should all show a little compassion for everyone involved. "

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momof1 wrote on Aug 1, 2008 9:40 AM:

" Winky said "Do you feel that by labeling alcohol abuse a "disease" (i.e. alcoholism) we are enabling people to act in a socially unacceptable manner, in this case, resulting in severe injury and death to a family?"

No-Just because they have this disease does not mean they are exempt from punishment and it does not mean that the things they do while intoxicated (on anything) can be excused just b/c they were intoxicated. I put my own mother in prison because of the things she did while she was intoxicated. She's a wonderful, caring, loving person when she's sober. She needed to be there. Anyone who does these terrible things, sober or not, should be punished severely. "

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winky615 wrote on Aug 1, 2008 8:10 AM:

" I'm going to throw this out there. I'm sure this will be an unpopular statement, but I certainly don't care:

Do you feel that by labeling alcohol abuse a "disease" (i.e. alcoholism) we are enabling people to act in a socially unacceptable manner, in this case, resulting in severe injury and death to a family?

Perhaps we (society) excused Welch's behavior all these years because he was an "alcoholic." So, as not to cause him any shame or embarassment, we say "Larry was 'sick'". Larry was a victim of a disease, not of poor personal choices and lack of personal restraint.

Perhaps we create many problems we encounter in the name of being "politically correct." Just a thought. "

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winky615 wrote on Aug 1, 2008 7:59 AM:

" I'll be honest - I didn't see a guilty plea without a plea bargain happening in this case. Perhaps Welch is depending on the "good ole boy" attitude demonstrated in mid-Missouri when it comes to punishing intoxicated drivers. "

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shinymcshine wrote on Jul 31, 2008 7:38 PM:

" I think a good indication of how lax the courts are on drunks is the lack of implimintation of the ignition interlock device. Although statuatorily mandated for years for repeat offenders, in all my years in law enforcement, I've never actually SEEN one. There's a caveot that says basically if the IID is a "hardship" on the offender, it can be waived. Then the defense just whines that his client just paid a bunch of fines (and lawyer fees) and can't afford one, so they waive it. As I said, I've never seen one, and most of my collegues haven't either.
Drunks are just given a pass, then when they kill, we act shocked.
No shock here! "

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momof1 wrote on Jul 31, 2008 5:14 PM:

" I agree fully with gofish and boscoe, jail time after the second offense (I believe everyone deserves a second chance)! And if the judicial system keeps slapping the same person on the hand for multiple drink-related offenses then they should be held partially responsible when a tragedy like this occurs. Several DUI's should be a heads up to someone up there on their bench, that there's a serious problem that isn't being dealt with! "

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gofish wrote on Jul 31, 2008 4:36 PM:

" I agree Boscoe, persistent DWI offenders getting probation is an abomination to the safety of the general public. I've said it before and I'll say it again. I believe Judges should be held civally liable when person's who are on their 2nd or more DWI offense are given probation and cause a subsequent wreck. "

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maxheadroom wrote on Jul 31, 2008 4:31 PM:

" sad sad sad ...everyone involved, many people have had their lives changed for the worst in this deal "

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gofish wrote on Jul 31, 2008 4:11 PM:

" DontReallyCare wrote "The Olsen Family needs to Move on! It's Over not(h)ing else will bring anyone back...."

Your user name says it all! "

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boscoe wrote on Jul 31, 2008 3:39 PM:

" Angers me greatly when I read in the paper every week that offenders "DWI-Persistent Offendor" and "Suspended License-Persistent Offendor" are just given a little more probation.

"Persistent Offender" should mean several years of hard time. "

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momof1 wrote on Jul 31, 2008 3:13 PM:

" Some people just can't ever get loose of their addictions. It's tragic but it's true, the only way to keep (repeat, serious) substance abusers from harming themselves or others is to put them in prison or long-term facility. Mr. Welch should be sent to prison for the rest of his life, maybe there he will be able to face his demons and truly admit to himself that he has a problem. "

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momof1 wrote on Jul 31, 2008 3:10 PM:

" anyone, and if she had been in her right mind and sober she never would have done many of the things she did. It wasn't until I put her in prison for some things she had done that she for the first time in 20 years had ever admitted and accepted what she was and what she'd done. She's been sober almost three years now (which is a lifetime for her) but once and addict, always and addict. I know that Mr. Welch truly intended no malice to anyone, especially not an innocent family whom he knew. I blame him for not being strong enough to face his demons but as I've learned from my mother...It's not just as easy as saying "I've got aproblem" "

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momof1 wrote on Jul 31, 2008 3:08 PM:

" Seems like the courts and judges should be held partially accountable for letting him off so easy on all his other drinking-related offenses in the past.
I personally have always felt that your actions are your own decisions and no matter what you know what you're doing and you know what's right and what's wrong. But my mother was a substance abuser for many many years, in and out of rehabs/jail/prison. Our family has done/tried/said everything possible to help her, nothing worked for long. She always went back to using no matter how long she stayed sober. And when someone is a substance abuser, they're never fully in their right mind, always in a state of denial. My mother never meant any harm to "

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momof1 wrote on Jul 31, 2008 3:04 PM:

" Family and friends can say and do all they want to help an alcoholic, it will do no good until the alcoholic realizes and admits their problem(s) and proceeds to get help. If you've ever delt with an alcoholic (or any substance abuser) you would know that no amount of 'help' will do any good until the person themself is actually ready and willing. It truly is a disease, that sadly, many people don't realize how tough it is to kick. I agree though with most, Mr. Welch has had waaaaay too many chances. He should have been punished a long time ago when he repeatedly broke the law. It's definately too bad, "

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taz48 wrote on Jul 31, 2008 1:54 PM:

" Alcoholism is a disease. U can live with it if you chose to get help for it. In which Mr Welch never did. Is it because he didn't think he had a problem or did he just not care.Why didn't his family help him with this problem. There are alot of poeple that drink and drive. Maybe there should be a harder punishment for those who drink and drive. Like maybe 6 months on the 1st dwi and i mean in jail. not just a slap on the hand. maybe then they would think again about driving drank. We do had taxi in this town or call a friend or family. "

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mommyof2 wrote on Jul 31, 2008 1:06 PM:

" Christnlady, don't expect any huge sentence. I worked behind the scenes at MSHP for 7 years and rarely did I ever, ever see anyone serve a day in jail for killing someone w/ a DWI. It's terrible (and the responsibility of the Judge) but don't hold your breathe "

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MK wrote on Jul 31, 2008 12:48 PM:

" Compassion for all? Are you kidding? That is impossible because compassion for those who died is already a mute point. Compassion would have been to not drink and drive and kill them. It would be one thing if this so called "mistake" was a one time thing but Larry Welch has a long history of "mistakes" that happened to also correspond to breaking the law. He's been let off easy one time after another and is on at least two different probations at the time of this "mistake" which destroyed a family.

Compassion for the public would be to lock this guy up for the max and send a messege to others like him. "

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DontReallyCare wrote on Jul 31, 2008 12:31 PM:

" "Compassion for all here is what I feel". I Know both family's. The Olsen Family needs to Move on! It's Over noting else will bring anyone back.... Larry is doing his time.
I'm sure that he's not the only person in this world that has made a mistake. "

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momof1 wrote on Jul 31, 2008 12:13 PM:

" Alcoholism is as much to blame as Mr. Welch. Unfortunately it takes something like this to serve as a wake up call to someone like him (I happen to know he's a good person, he was just consumed by the disease and was not strong enough to fight it, it took over and it has taken not just his life, but 2 very innocent people's as well). I know the Olsens and they are a good Christian family and I know that even though it'll be tough, they'll find it in their hearts to forgive Mr. Welch. My prayers go out to the Olsens and to Mr. Welch. "

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TAZ48 wrote on Jul 31, 2008 9:57 AM:

" Mr.Olsen I hope you can forgive this man one day. So u can live the rest of you live in peace. Don't ever forget what he did. Just forgive. GOD BE WITH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. I'm truly sorry for your family lost. Just so everyone know I don't know Mr. Wekch. I have read about him being drank and driving many time in the paper and taking his license didn't work. He still did it away. He need the max on this not a slap on the hand. "

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TAZ48 wrote on Jul 31, 2008 9:49 AM:

" You all have wrote some really good things in here. I only have a 2 things to say. Untill you have loive with someone that drinks and drives don't tell people what to do. Yes I feel very sorry for the Olsen family that lost the loves ones and I'm sure Welch is sorry now too. Its to later for that.Whereever he was drinking at should be held just responsible for this too. If they knew him at all. They knew he was drank and should of took his keys. I know the hurt both side are going through. My family member kill someone and it takes from both side. "

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gofish wrote on Jul 31, 2008 9:49 AM:

" MAX SENTENCE JUDGE! Run them concurrent if you will, but sentence him based upon what you would do if it were your own family members that died. Prison is to protect the pubic from further harm, which Welch has demonstrated that this is needed, AND punishment for willfully killing 2 people by choosing to drive drunk.

I do agree with MOSMART on the point that both the family and the perpetrator need to find closure from this tragedy, and that all need to have peace in their lives and hearts. In reality though, I don't see how the surviving family will ever find peace, it would be VERY difficult for me to do. "

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AMAZED wrote on Jul 31, 2008 6:51 AM:

" Based upon this killers prior record record, his criminal record/activity was pointed out several times, so to speak, and there were numerous directions given. Who cares what he would do when he was sober, it's what he did drunk that destroyed many lives and hopefully, eventually, his own.. He chose that before and after the fact. May he never find or rest in peace! "

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mosmart wrote on Jul 30, 2008 10:01 PM:

" Compassion for all here is what I feel. I am sorry for the family and their human loss it is awful. I also feel sorry for this man who would probably not want to hurt anyone if he where sober. We need to hold our neighbor's acountable so to speak before this sort of thing happens. If we truly care about each other and society we will point out and give direction to our brother and sisters and let them choose what to do: Not tell them to choose after the fact. May you all find peace! "

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shinymcshine wrote on Jul 30, 2008 6:25 PM:

" Welch will likely die in prison well before he completes any sentence received. He is a glaring example of not only alcohol abuse, but the wink and a nod attitude folks have about drunk driving. Until he killed, there were a lot of folks that knew he was drunk, driving, and doing it all the time, but did nothing.
He'll die in prison. Exactly as he should. "

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Christnlady wrote on Jul 30, 2008 5:48 PM:

" It will be interesting to see what the sentencing brings, i just hope it will be some relief to the Olsen family, and to the community that had to live through this. If only.... "

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