Hoover was charged with one count of aggravated murder in the death of Marcellus Reineke of St. Mary's. The 71-year-old retired farmer was found dead in his home on October 15, 1981. He'd been stabbed and beaten, and his bed was set on fire, but the closed-up home at 229 S. West Street in St. Mary's smothered the flames. He was found two days later by concerned family members.
Hoover will be eligible for parole consideration in seven years. He was sentenced under the 1981 law when the murder took place.
In court, Hoover, who was 19 at the time of the crime, told the victim's family he was truly sorry for what happened, and explained to the judge he was scared and that's why he never turned himself in. Hoover explained it was a home invasion basically and the house was set on fire.
Later in the same courtroom, Hoover's co-defendant requested and received another 30 day delay in his arraignment. Tracy Mabry of Celina, who was recently charged with aggravated murder in the same case, told the judge he needs more time to raise the money for an attorney. Mabry is being held in jail on a $1 million dollar cash bond.
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