A former Graywood employee received an eight-year sentence on July 6 for beating a developmentally disabled man who later died from those injuries on Jan. 19, 2011.

Keyun Newble was accused of beating Paul McCann, 42, for stealing cookies and was convicted April 27 for involuntary manslaughter.

McCann was living in one of the Graywood Foundation’s group homes at 203 W. Grant Ave.

McCann was taken to Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center the day after his beating where he died four days later.

Marquis Harmon, Newble’s co-defendant in the case, is still awaiting trial for his alleged participation in McCann’s beating.

Robert Scales, assistant state’s attorney, said the state’s attorney’s office is pleased with the outcome of the trial.

“We felt that the judge carefully considered everything that was presented both in aggravation and mitigation,” Scales said.

He said the States Attorney’s office was hoping for the maximum sentence of 10 years, but they think this was a fair sentence.

“With the nature and circumstances of the incident, we felt that 10 years was appropriate in this case,” Scales said.

Lois McCann, Paul McCann’s mother, made a statement at the hearing and said she is heartbroken and misses her son greatly.

Newble said he was sorry for his actions and he was not raised to act in the manner that led to McCann’s death.

Newble will receive credit for the time he has served, more than a year, in the Coles County Jail, and will spend one year on mandatory supervised release after he completes his sentence.

Marcus Smith can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].