Convicted Cole Co. DWI killer will serve full sentence

The Missouri Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled the sentence will not be reduced for a Mid-Missouri man convicted of killing two and injuring two others in a 2007 DWI crash.

Larry Welch was convicted in the drunk driving crash on Route C that killed Jean and Toby Olsen just outside Russellville.

Welch was sentenced to 20 years in prison for involuntary manslaughter.

However, earlier this year, a Cole County judge announced a reduction in his sentence from 20 years to 7.

The Missouri Supreme Court took on the case this past winter after Cole Co. Prosecutor Mark Richardson filed a writ of prohibition asking the higher court to step in.

Tuesday’s opinion reads, “Because Mr. Welch’s offenses involved violence, the trial court had no authority to reduce Mr. Welch’s sentences. The preliminary writ of prohibition is made permanent.”