Crawford County Residents Charged With Felony Assault

Two Crawford County residents are charged with felony assault after they allegedly beat a victim with a baseball bat and left him in critical condition.

Tyler Burnett, 18, Steelville, and his stepfather Gary Halbert, 45, Steelville, each face multiple charges in the incident, which occurred Aug. 12 in the 100 block of Euclid Street in Steelville.

According to the probable cause statement, the victim had brain surgery due to a bleed and is paralyzed on the right side.

Witnesses said they observed Burnett tackle the victim off the porch and strike him in the head. Halbert allegedly jabbed the victim in the chest/stomach area with the bat before throwing it into a creek.

Halbert is charged with first-degree assault, first-degree burglary and tampering with evidence in a felony prosecution. He’s being held on a $250,000 bond.

Burnett is charged with first-degree assault and first-degree burglary.

Read more on this story in the Aug. 23 issue of the Independent News.