Five Jonesboro people were charged today with conspiring to beat and rob Roy Easton, a mentally retarded 21-year-old last week.

The group is charged with conspiring to bludgeoned Easton with a 2-by-4 and hurling broken bottles at him in an abandoned house in Jonesboro. Easton was hospitalized with a shattered orbital bone, broken nose and jaw.

The charges handed down from the Union County State's Attorney's office include: conspiracy to commit armed robbery, conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery and conspiracy to commit aggravated battery. The three counts carry a maximum sentence of 50 years.

The attackers range in age from 17 to 26 years old.

Look for more information in the Wednesday's Southeast Missourian.

335-6611, extension 245