A court order requiring the state public defender’s office to represent a local murder suspect is being challenged by the defense agency itself.
Larry R. Lindeman, 77, was charged following the November 2025 shooting death of a man who allegedly broke into a home where Lindeman was present. A grand jury indicted Lindeman in February on felony charges of first-degree murder and armed criminal action. Court records indicate he was arrested and released the same day after posting a $100,000 surety bond.
In late June, after attempting to hire private counsel, Lindeman was denied a public defender because his annual income and financial assets exceeded state eligibility guidelines, court records show.
In a court filing submitted Wednesday, Assistant Public Defender Thomas Flack pointed to that initial denial. Records show that on Sept. 24, 44th Circuit Judge R. Craig Carter determined Lindeman was indigent and ordered a public defender appointed to the case.
Flack filed a motion requesting Judge Carter rescind that order. Flack argued Lindeman has not filed an administrative appeal with the public defender’s office, which is the required legal procedure to review or reverse an indigency determination.
In the filing, Flack noted Lindeman demonstrated “extraordinary financial means available” to hire legal representation and pointed out Lindeman was capable of posting a $100,000 surety bond. Flack further argued the circuit court lacks authority to determine indigency independently, asserting the court “lacked authority and abused its discretion” in issuing the appointment order.
A counsel status hearing has been set for Oct. 19 before Carter.
In August, Lindeman sent letters to Carter requesting a continuance in the case, stating he was having difficulty raising funds to hire an attorney. In another letter, Lindeman requested the charges be dropped under Missouri’s “Castle Doctrine” law, writing that he feared for his life when intruders returned to the home while he was taking inventory of items stolen during a previous break-in.
Lindeman wrote that he was armed with a shotgun in an upstairs room when he heard two men enter the basement. He stated he had no way to call for help without being detected and did not know if the intruders were armed, noting firearms had been taken during the prior burglary.
When the two men walked upstairs, Lindeman opened fire on Hayden Hilleman, 23, of West Plains, who died from his injuries. Lindeman wrote that Hilleman retreated downstairs and outside after being shot.
The other burglary suspect, Keith W. Geringer, 33, West Plains, ran from the scene. Geringer was subsequently charged with first-degree burglary and second-degree murder, with the murder charge stemming from allegations that Hilleman’s death occurred during the commission of a felony burglary.
Geringer reportedly told investigators Hilleman had been stealing from the house for several weeks and the two returned to take more items.
