IN Radio: Man Sentenced In Death Of Radio Host

Matt Leucking

A man who prosecutors say planned a burglary that led to the 2016 beating death of a Terre Haute radio personality has been sentenced to 50 years in prison.

The Tribune-Star reported 48-year-old Donald Featherstone on Wednesday was the final defendant in the murder case to learn his punishment for the death of Matt Luecking, who worked for WFNB-FM. Authorities say Luecking was killed at his apartment in Terre Haute.

Featherstone earlier signed a plea agreement that capped his potential prison sentence at 45 to 50 years. Defense attorney Mark Mullican argued for the lower term, saying Featherstone was remorseful.

In March, 26-year-old John Edward Collins was sentenced to 60 years and 27-year-old Kathleen Featherstone got 30 years.

Another person faces charges in connection with the theft of Luecking’s car.

Authorities say the three defendants entered Luecking’s apartment on Oct. 24, 2016, while he was asleep with the intent of robbing and injuring him.

Police discovered the homicide after co-workers called police when Luecking failed to show up at his bank job.

An alert clerk at Walmart in Clinton tipped off police hours later that Luecking’s bank card was being used fraudulently.