An Independence woman charged in the slaying of her live-in boyfriend is sentenced to 20 years in prison. 38-year-old Debra Wierck was sentenced Tuesday in Buchanan County after she pleaded guilty in July to assault and voluntary manslaughter as part of a plea bargain to avoid a life term. Wierck is charged with stabbing 38-year-old Robert Taylor during a fight February 13th at the home they shared. Wierck is ordered to pay restitution of 150-thousand dollars, court costs and attorney fees, along with nine thousand dollars for Taylor’s funeral.
