Man to serve up to six years for shooting karaoke singer

The man who shot a karaoke singer after being ejected from a Granite City bar will serve up to six years in prison.

Darrell Buettner, 56, of Pocahontas, had been ejected from the Luna Cafe in Granite City on Feb. 4, 2011, for fighting with another patron. Once outside, he fired a gun at the building, which entered through a door and struck Nina Adams in the head as she was singing karaoke in the bar.

Adams survived, though the bullet fragments remained lodged in her head for 15 months while she underwent medical treatment, according to news reports.

Buettner was found guilty in February 2014 on one count of aggravated discharge of a firearm, but the jury was unable to come to a verdict on the Class X felony charge of aggravated battery with a firearm.

Buettner’s attorney asked Madison County Circuit Judge Kyle Napp for a sentence of probation on the Class 1 felony, while prosecutors Crystal Uhe and Rachelle Crowe asked for 10 years. Napp sentenced Buettner to six years in prison, of which he must serve at least 50 percent.

Adams has sued both Buettner and the Luna Cafe for more than $350,000. The suit is pending in Madison County courts. A hearing before Madison County Circuit Judge Barbara Crowder is set for August.

This story was originally published July 14, 2015 at 12:30 PM with the headline "Man to serve up to six years for shooting karaoke singer."