Elvis Volner, 23, was sentenced here Monday to life without parole for his part in the 2008 murder of Dustin Skaggs.
Following a three-day trial here in June, Volner, formerly of Cabool, was convicted of murder in the first degree, robbery in the first degree, and armed criminal action. He received 30 years on the robbery conviction and 25 years for the armed criminal action conviction.
The case was prosecuted by Douglas County Prosecutor Chris Wade. The Honorable J. Miles Sweeney, retired judge from Greene County, presided over the trial and the sentencing.
Dustin Skaggs, 20, of Ava, went missing Feb. 10, 2008. He was found six days later in the trunk of his car at the bottom of a water-filled quarry near Lebanon.
Volner’s brother, Benny Volner, who was tried in Texas County and sentenced on May 14, was sentenced to two life sentences plus 25 years.
Dennis Volner, a cousin of Benny and Elvis, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 15 years in prison in November 2009.
Dennis’ wife, Julia (Monnahan) Volner, 31, is scheduled for trial here in October on the same three \charges as Elvis and Benny.
Authorities were told the motive for the murder was that Benny Volner believed Skaggs was having an affair with his wife.
