Convicted murderer hit with hefty judgment

A Texas County judge entered a $10 million judgment against a man serving life in prison for murder.

The judgment stems from the fatal shooting of Crue Ridenoure on Oct. 10, 2019. According to court records, defendant Michael Nugent had been upset with Ridenoure for having abandoned Nugent’s motorcycle in a ditch during a police chase two days before.

A driver passing by found a wounded Ridenoure lying by the side of the road with a single gunshot to the chest. Ridenoure identified Nugent as the shooter to the man aiding him and to paramedics before succumbing to his injuries.

Nugent was convicted at a bench trial in 2021 and sentenced to life in prison without parole for first-degree murder, among other charges. The Court of Appeals Southern District affirmed the conviction last year. He is currently incarcerated at the Jefferson City Correctional Center.

Judge William Hickle, who had also presided over defendant criminal trial, entered an order in December 2023 apportioning the judgment to Ridenoure’s father, the estate of his mother and his three children.

Zane Privette of the Privette Law Office in Willow Springs, an attorney for the family, said he intends to collect on the judgment against Nugent’s assets, which he said should be enough “to make a massive difference for those three kids.”

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$10 million judgment

Wrongful death

Venue: Texas County Circuit Court

Case Number/Date: 21TE-CC00073/Dec. 18, 2023

Judge: William Hickle

Caption: Estate of Sheila Peterman and Larry Ridenoure v. Michael Nugent

Plaintiffs’ Attorneys: Zane A. Privette and Bailey M. Privette, Privette Law Office, Willow Springs