A Roane County man who provided his girlfriend with meth and used it with her at her workplace pleaded guilty to second-degree murder last week in Cumberland County Criminal Court.
Michael Paul Kearley (Kerley), 36, Rockwood, was indicted in January 2024 on charges of second-degree murder and possession of meth with intent.
Last Tuesday, Kearley pleaded guilty to reckless homicide and possession of meth and received an eight-year prison sentence to be served at 35% as a Range 2 (multiple offender) defendant.
Kearley is being given credit for 27 days already served in jail.
Assistant District Attorney Philip Hatch told the court Kearley visited his girlfriend, Ashley Nichole Cressel, 33, at her place of employment where he provided meth for both to use in August 2021.
Cressel was found unresponsive at her job later, was rushed to the hospital and pronounced dead.
The resulting investigation and autopsy revealed Cressel died from acute methamphetamine toxicity, and Kearley was the person who provided the drug.
Kearley was represented in the matter by Crossville attorney Jeff Vires.