Paula Hall's Murder Conviction Overturned For Second Time:

-

Paula Hall (mug shot MODOC)

The judge who presided over Paula Hall's murder trial has ruled that her rights were violated when the Christian County Prosecutor’s Office failed to provide her defense lawyer with correct information regarding a state’s witness.

Wright County Judge John Moody, who was the judge who heard the case in Taney County on a change of venue, heard evidence last week in Christian County during a hearing for 43-year-old Paula Hall of Sparta.

This is the second time Moody has overturned Hall's conviction.  In his latest ruling, Moody wrote, “Had ( Rita Sanders- Hall's attorney) known of the sentence, she could have sought further discovery regarding any agreements between the Christian County Prosecuting Attorney’s office and Ms. Bonham.”

Attorney Rita Sanders

“There is no question the information could have been useful in impeaching witness Lisa Bonham by demonstrating motive to lie,”  he wrote.

A jury convicted Hall in 2009 for the November 2003 murder of sixty eight year-old Freda Heyn and she was sentenced to twenty years in prison.

Moody allowed both sides to present evidence on September 21st  during a post-conviction hearing.
Sanders argued that the conviction should be overturned because errors by the prosecutor violated Hill’s due process rights when they did not provide her the correct information on one of the witnesses, Lisa Bonham. Prosecutors say the errors did not affect the outcome of the trial.

Bonham, who served time in lockup with Hall, told the jury she overheard Hall tell fellow inmates in the Christian County jail that she killed Heyn.

Sanders says prosecutor’s gave her discovery on another person named Lisa Bonahm and failed to tell her that the Lisa Bonham that was to testify had been convicted of passing bad checks, forgery and a probation violation in Christian County and had pending charges in Greene County at the time of Hall’s trial.
-
She says prosecutors in Christian County entered into a deal with Bonaham and asked Greene County prosecutors to go easy Bonaham because she testified for the state in Hall’s trial.  Sanders also questioned why Bonham’s Christian County sentence of five years probation was amended in April 2009, just two months after Hall’s conviction, to 120 days already served.

Chrisitan County prosecutor Amy Fite

Christian County prosecutor Amy Fite, who was not in office at the time of Hall's trial, said last week that the state now concedes that there was a discovery violation when they provided criminal information on another person named Lisa Bonahm to defense counsel.  "How did I get the wrong information...they use social security numbers to run things through NCIC and MULES," said Sanders.

Murder charges connected to Heyn's that were filed against Hall's former brother-in-law, Billy Wayne Hall, who has been in and out of prison several times over the last few years, were dismissed without prejudice in June so "investigator's can continue to gather potential evidence," according to Christian County chief assistant prosecutor Donovan Dobbs.  "We only get one shot.....we want to make sure it's a good one if we proceed to trial."

Billy Wayne Hall (mug shot CCSO)

Sanders has filed a motion with the court asking that the murder charges that were dismissed WITHOUT prejudice against Billy Wayne Hall (meaning the state can refile) be dismissed WITH prejudice because the state violated his right to a speedy trial.  "They needed to have him tried by July 29th and they've missed that date."

Another troubling aspect of the case for Sanders is that a man named Tommy Pettit, who allegedly admitted to his wife and others, that he Clint Ward and David Epperson beat Mrs. Heyn to death and then dismembered her body, fed it to hogs and tossed her skull into the Mark Twain National Forest has never been charged with anything in connection to Heyn's murder, "Why aren't the news media and Mrs. Heyn's family members asking prosecutors in Christian County why no charges have ever been brought against Pettit,?" said Sanders.

Fite will have 30 days to appeal the judge’s decision, which would then send the post-conviction relief to the Missouri Court of Appeals. Fite could also decide to skip the appeal and retry Hall or not retry the case against Hall at all.

Sanders says she will ask Moody to order Hall to be released on her own recognizance. "They can release her or go ahead and waste tax payers money again or go after the real people who murdered Mrs. Heyn," says Sanders.

Man In Custody For Questioning After OD Deaths In Stone County Now Charged Wtih Distribution of Controlled Substance:

-

-

Dennis Horn has been charged with distribution of a controlled substance

Authorities in Stone County are treating the overdose deaths of two men found in a home near Kimberling City as homicides.

Stone County Sheriff's Captain Tim Gideon says Robert Murray, 45, of Kimberling City and Mark Marshal, 46, of Sparta, were found dead in a house at 97 Terrace Crest Lane in Reeds Spring after they allegedly bought Fentanyl patches from Dennis Horn, 50, of Reeds Spring. 

According to the probable cause statement, Todd Rogers told Sgt. Matt Maggard that he had taken Marshal and Murray to 18 Aire Lane on Monday September 26th to purchase 10 Lorcet tablets from Horn for $40.00.  Rogers says Murray and Marshal returned to Horn's residence about 8:45 the next morning and purchased two Fentanyl patches.

Rogers told Maggard that he witnessed Murray and Marshal "cook" the Fentanyl with apple juice on the stove and then found them unresponsive about 9:45 a.m.

A life flight helicopter was called to the scene but Murray and Marshall were already dead

-
Gideon says Murray and Marshall extracted the Fentanyl with a needle and then injected it causing their deaths.

During a search of Horn's residence a box of Duragesic patches was found with seven patches still inside the box.  Horn, who filled the prescription for ten patches on September 26th, was wearing one of the patches when investigators arrived at the house.  According to the directions on the prescription, a patch was to be replaced every 72 hours.

Southern Stone County Fire Protection District crews, St.Johns EMS, St. Johns Lifeline, and Stone County  responded to the incident near State Highway OO near Kimberling City about 9:45 a.m. First responders began CPR and continued life saving measures for nearly an hour.  Despite their efforts, both patients were pronounced dead at the scene by Stone County Coroner Rick Stumpff.

Southwest Missouri Forensics will conduct autopsies on Murray and Marshal tomorrow in Springfield.

Stone County prosecutor Matt Selby has charged Horn, who is being held on $100,000 bond, with two counts of distribution of a controlled substance.  "There's just not enough evidence to charge Mr. Horn with anything else at this time," said Selby.

******

Fentanyl (aka  Durogesic, Duragesic patches,) is a potent synthetic narcotic analgesic with a rapid onset and short duration of action. It is a strong against at the u-opioid receptors. Historically it has been used to treat breakthrough pain and is commonly used in pre-procedures as a pain reliever as well as an anesthetic in combination with a benzodiazepine.

Fentanyl is approximately 100 times more potent than morphine.

Man With Head Injury Responsible For School Lockdown In Hurley:

-

Stone County Chief Deputy Rich Anderson

A man who suffered a traumatic head injury was responsible for the lock down status at the school in Hurley today (09-27-11.)

Chief deputy Rich Anderson says he first received a call about a man attempting to break into a vehicle on State Highway 413 about 7:30 a.m. - Anderson says when he responded to the call he could not locate the suspect.

About 9:35 a.m. a man went to the school in Hurley to take his kids out and alert staffers that a man he had given a ride told him to get his kids out of the town because he was going to blow the school and the town up.  Staffers called 9-1-1 and placed the school on lock down.

A short time later authorities received a phone call from the same person who had called earlier about the attempted vehicle break in telling them that the man, who was carrying a bible, was back and again attempting to steal the vehicle. 

"The man had a visible wound to the temple and said he had been injured a few days ago, but didn't remember how it happened.  He said God told him he needed to go to St. Louis.  We transported him to Cox hospital for treatment," said Anderson

UPDWoman Dies After Being Shot In Springfield Hotel, Suspect Charged With First Degree Murder:

-

Terry D. Morrison has been charged with first-degree murder (mug shot (GCSO)

-
A case detectives had been investigating as an assault has turned into a murder investigation after a woman who was shot at a Springfield hotel last Friday died from her injuries.

Details are sketchy, but police were called to the HomeStay Inn at 2611 N. Glenstone about 11 p.m. where they found the woman suffering from a gunshot wound.



HomeStay Inn (courtesy KY3)



Prestina Tyner, of Springfield, whose organs were donated, died after being taken off of life support.

Greene County prosecutors filed first-degree murder and armed criminal action charges against Terry D. Morrison, 49, today.

Death Of Woman Found Dead Inside Burning House "Does Not Appear To Be A Homicide":

-

Kelly Barr Lawler-Ackfeld

The Greene County medical examiner's office says it was a gunshot wound to the abdomen that killed a woman found inside a burning house in Greene County over the weekend.

Thrity seven year-old Kelly Barr Lawler-Ackfeld was found dead inside the house at 2236 W. Nottingham after neighbors who were setting up for a garage sale around 7 a.m. alerted firefighters when they saw smoke coming from the house on Saturday (09-24-11).



House on Nottingham where Lawler-Ackfeld's body was found (courtesy Springfield News Leader)

 Lawler-Ackfeld and a man she had been living with were in court as recently as last week seeking protection orders against each other.  Lawler-Ackfeld said the man had broken her nose, pushed her down the stairs, knocked her out and had verbally threatened her.  In his filing, the man alleged Lawler-Ackfeld who was physically abusive and stalked him.

On Friday, a judge ordered Lawler-Ackfeld, (who had several wage garnishments filed against her in the last several months according to online court records,) to move out of the home, which the boyfriend owned, by noon Saturday.

Captain Jim Farrell of the Greene County Sheriff's office said in a news release, "Based upon the preliminary investigation the death of Kelly Lawler-Ackfeld does NOT appear to be a homicide."

Greene County deputy medical examiner Tom Van De Berg says the autopsy could not determine if the gunshot wound, which was fired from close range, was self-inflicted.  It will take about six weeks for toxicology reports to come back.

Visitation services for Lawler-Ackfeld will be held beginning at 6 p.m. Herman Lohmeyer funeral home.  Funeral services will be held on Friday September 30, 2011 at St. Agnes Cathedral.

BREAKING NEWS: Jacky Wong Pleads Guilty To 2009 Laclede County Triple Murder:

-

Jacky Wong (mug shot LCSO)

A young man from Springfield pleaded guilty to amended charges of second-degree murder for a heinous triple murder in the fall 2009 that stunned southwest Missouri.

Jacky Wong, 23, of Springfield, was originally charged with first-degree murder for the October 2009 deaths of Jeff and Glenda Smith and Zack Porter in Laclede County.

Jeffry and Glenda Smith (facebook)

Joshua Antonio Reyes, 25, was the ringleader in the triple murders of his former girlfriend Miranda Smith's 51 year-old father and 48 year-old stepmother and her boyfriend at the time, 25 year-old Porter.  According to court records, there were supposed to be additional victims but the perps got lost trying to find their houses.

Zack Porter (family photo)

Reyes pleaded guilty to three counts of murder in May of 2010 and was sentenced to life without the possibility parole. 

Josh Reyes (l); Steven Pyykola (m) and Jacky Wong

At the time of the murders, Laclede County Sheriff Richard Wrinkle said the motive was robbery and, "Jealousy......she took everything he loved away from him (Reyes), so he was going to take everything she loved away from her."

Benjamin Stidham (mug shot LCSO)

Two other young men still face charges connected to the Smith - Porter murders.  Benjamin Stidham, 19, of Springfield, is scheduled to stand trial in Camden County in December and Steven Pyykola', 20, also of Springfield, case is set for trial in September of 2012 in Morgan County where the case was moved on a change of venue.

Wong faces from 10 years to life in prison (which is 30 years in Missouri) when he is sentenced on December 5th.  The only sentence for a first-degree murder conviction in Missouri is life without the possibility of parole or the death penalty. is scheduled to be sentenced December 5th in Laclede County.

Bentonville Man Charged In Storage Unit Murder:

-

Brian Clapper (mug shot McCSO)

A man from Bentonville, Arkansas has been charged with second-degree murder and two counts of armed criminal action in connection to a deadly shooting Friday (09-23-11) night near Washburn.

According to the probable cause statement used as the basis for the charges, Brian Clapper, 31, was helping a friend, Karis Cunigan, move some things from a storage facility when the shooting happened.

Sergeant Jeffery Berryhill writes, Cunigan and thirty four year-old John Bevill, of Washburn, had been in a relationship that ended three months ago and Cunigan was transferring some of her belonging from Bevill's house to the storage facility and her new home in Bentonville.

Around 9 p.m. Cunigan and Clapper were loading things from the storage unit when Bevill and a friend of his, Kendrick Long, 22, of Rogers, Arkansas, drove past the facility and then circled back and blocked Clapper's truck with the Bevill's vehicle.

Bevill then allegedly got out of his vehicle, grabbed Cunigan by the neck and held a knife to her throat.  Court documents say Clapper reached in his truck, grabbed a shotgun and told Bevill to let go of Cunigan and drop the knife or he would shoot him. 

After refusing to let Cunigan go, Clapper fired one round that hit Bevill in the arm.  Once Cuningan was able to break free it is alleged that Clapper fired another round that struck Bevill in the groin and that he turned around and fired two shots at Long that hit him in the arm and elbow.

Clapper, who is also facing charges of first-degree assault with a firearm, is being held in the McDonald County jail on a $50,000 cash only bond.

Man Found Dead In Tub With Former TV Weatherman Died Of Asphyxia And Acute Drug Intoxication:

-

Dexter Williams

A medical examiner in Arkansas says twenty four year-old Dexter Williams, the man who was with former KARK meteorologist Brett Cummins when he was found dead, died from asphyxia and acute combined drug intoxication.

Maumelle Police Department Press Release:

"Regarding Maumelle Police Department case #11-4587-OF documenting the sudden death of Dexter Williams, Associate Medical Examiner Frank J. Peretti, M.D. has officially listed the manner of death as undetermined. Dr. Peretti noted the cause of death as Asphyxia along with significant findings of Acute Combined Methamphetamine and Amphetamine Intoxication. There was no finding of strangulation listed on the Cause of Death report.

Once it is completed, the Maumelle Police Department will turn over the investigative file to the Pulaski County Prosecutors Office who will determine what, if any, charges can/should be filed."

According to the police report, Christopher "John" Barbour found Williams and Cummins, 33, in a whirlpool tub in his home at 16 Village Way about 8 a.m. on Labor Day morning. Officer Greg Roussie says he discovered Williams' body in a fetal position on the floor of the waterless tub that had a ring of blood around it.  Roussie noted that Williams had a chain around his neck that appeared to be a dog collar.

According to the incident report, Barbour told police he, Williams and Cummins were drinking and snorting illegal drugs and later got in the tub together. Barbour told police he slept on a couch in the living room and awoke the next morning to loud snoring coming from the bathroom. When he entered the bathroom to retrieve some glasses he and Cummins noticed that Williams, who was behind Cummins, was not breathing and his color was off. 

Former KARK meteorologist Brett Cummins

Cummins bolted from the bathroom and vomited in the living room before leaving the scene.  He voluntarily returned and provided police with a statement.  A pill bottle was recovered from the master bedroom adjacent to the bathroom where Williams was found dead, according to the report.

Williams family says he was "easily influenced" and they "are confident authorities will fully investigate this tragic event."

Brett Cummins resigned from KARK on Friday September 9, 2011.  His attorney Mark Hampton, of Little Rock, says his client has not been charged with any crime connected to Williams death, and he is innocent.

Pulaski County Prosecuting Attorney Larry Jegley says it's too early in the investigation to say whether or not any charges connected to Williams' death will be filed.
-
UPDATE 01-06-12:

Authorities say no charges will be filed against Cummins in connection to Williams death.

Will Paula Hall Get A New Trial; Judge Will Announce Decision Soon:

-



Paula Hall (mug shot MODOC)



A judge is once again considering whether to overturn the 2009 murder conviction of a southwest Missouri woman for the death of an elderly woman from Oldfield.

Wright County Judge John Moody, who was the judge who heard the case in Taney County on a change of venue, heard evidence Wednesday in Christian County during a hearing for 43-year-old Paula Hall of Sparta.

Freda Heyn (family photo)

A jury convicted Hall for the November 2003 murder of sixty eight year-old Freda Heyn and she was sentenced to twenty years in prison.

Hall's attorney, Rita Sanders, argued that the conviction should be overturned because errors by the prosecutor violated Hill's due process rights. Prosecutors say the errors did not affect the outcome of the trial.

-

Attorney Rita Sanders

-

Moody allowed both sides to present evidence on Wednesday during a post-conviction hearing.

The witness that concerns Sanders most is Lisa Bonham, who served time in lockup with Hall.  She told the jury she overheard Hall tell fellow inmates in the Christian County jail that she killed Heyn. 

Sanders says prosecutor's failed to tell her that Bonham had been convicted of passing bad checks, forgery and a probation violation in Christian County and had pending charges in Greene County at the time of Hall's trial. She says prosecutors in Christian County entered into a deal with Bonaham and asked Greene County prosecutors to go easy Bonaham because she testified for the state in Hall's trial. 

Sanders also questioned why Bonham's Christian County sentence of five years probation was amended in April 2009, just two months after Hall's conviction, to 120 days already served.

Christian County Prosecutor Amy Fite

Christian County Prosecutor Amy Fite, who was not in office at the time of Hall's trial, argued that regardless of Bonham's criminal history, the jury believed her when she told them that Hall told her she killed Heyn while they were both behind bars Christian County.  Fite also says a clerical error in docketing contributed to the confusion.

Fite says the state now concedes that there was a discovery violation when they provided criminal information on another person named Lisa Bonahm to defense counsel.  "How did I get the wrong information...they use social security numbers to run things through NCIC and MULES."

Moody's decision should be announced within a few weeks, according to Sanders.  "It's very clear they violated the Brady Law and when they did that they violated Paula's right to due process and a fair trial.  If we don't get a new trial I will take it to the Court of Appeals."



Billy Wayne Hall (mug shot CCSO)



Murder charges connected to Heyn's that were filed against Hall's former brother-in-law, Billy Wayne Hall, who has been in and out of prison several times over the last few years, were dismissed without prejudice in June so "investigator's can continue to gather potential evidence," according to Christian County chief assistant prosecutor Donovan Dobbs.  "We only get one shot.....we want to make sure it's a good one if we proceed to trial."

Sanders says she will file a motion with the court next week asking that the murder charges that were dismissed WITHOUT prejudice against Billy Wayne Hall (meaning the state can refile) be dismissed WITH prejudice because the state violated his right to a speedy trial.  "They needed to have him tried by July 29th and they've missed that date."

What troubles Sanders the most with this case is that there is a man named Tommy Pettit, who allegedly admitted to his wife and others, that he Clint Ward and David Epperson beat Mrs. Heyn to death and then dismembered her body, fed it to hogs and tossed her skull into the Mark Twain National Forest.  "Why aren't the news media and Mrs. Heyn's family members asking prosecutors in Christian County why no charges have ever been brought against Petit?"

Springfield K9 Passes Away After Eight Years Of Service:

-

-
A K9 officer responsible for several large drug busts in southwest Missouri has died.

"Buddy" was assigned to the narcotics unit at the Springfield police department in June of 2003 to work with officer Kent Shipley, who is a 17 year veteran of the SPD.  Buddy helped with the DEA’s Highway Drug Interdiction Team, primarily working on I-44 and was responsible for discovering 894 pounds of pot, 7 pounds of cocaine, 11 pounds of meth, and $6,521,938 in cash recovered. 
-

Buddy was buried at the Police Service Dog memorial on Lone Pine south.

The department currently has six K9 officers and is looking for a replacement for Buddy, which will bring the total number of service dogs to seven.

Texas County Prosecutor Ordered To Pay $1 Million To Court Clerk In Malicious Prosecution Lawsuit:

-
A Texas County court clerk has been awarded $1 Million dollars from a sitting county prosecutor who accused her of being involved in running a swinger sex ring out of the county courthouse.

A civil jury in Webster County, where the case was moved on a change of venue, awarded Mildred "Millie" S. Williams $500,000 in actual damages and $500,000 in punitive damages in her case against Texas County prosecutor Michael "Mike" Anderson.

Williams brought the lawsuit against Anderson after he began a smear campaign to defame her after she allegedly witnessed him sexually harassing an employee of his office.  She claims Anderson attempted to keep her from testifying against him by intimidation or coercion.

Texas County prosecutor Mike Anderson

Anderson filed a lawsuit in 2006 against Williams and Monica Daniel-Hutchison claiming the women used their positions to do favors for friends, were involved in running a swingers sex ring out of the Texas County court house and were involved in a conspiracy to deprive him of serving in public office.  Anderson dropped the lawsuit about six weeks later, but not before he had alerted local media outlets to the pending litigation via press, and settled out of court with Hutchison for an undisclosed amount of money.

-

Mildred "Millie" Williams testifies during civil trial in Marshfield

-
Williams attorney, David Steelman, says, "It was important to her [Williams] to clear her name in connection to running a sex ring out of the courthouse.  Now that this very, very difficult situation has been resolved it is Ms. Williams hope that they can all put this behind them and work in a positive direction."

Texas County Presiding Commissioner Fred Stenger says the county was removed as part of the lawsuit several months ago and is not liable in any way for the monetary judgment. 

It would take action from the attorney general or the governor to remove Anderson from office since he is an elected official.  He is up for re-election in 2014.  "I don't see the AG or the Governor interceding at all.  This was a personal lawsuit. Mr. Anderson serves his constituents in Texas County very well," said Warren Harris who represented Anderson in the case. 

Harris has thirty days to decide whether he will file an appeal in the case, "There was no evidence presented at trial that anyone thought less of Ms. Williams as a result of the lawsuit being filed.  Obviously the monetary judgment is higher than we thought it would be," Harris said. "We'll have to consider our options on appeal and see what's available. While I think the judge did a fine job in the case I do think there's potential of some error in the case."

Brother Claims Self-Defense In Monday Night Stabbing In Aurora:

-

Dale A. Knight, Jr. (mug shot APD)

A fight between step-brothers in Aurora on Monday night ended with one brother suffering life threatening injuries.

Lawrence County Prosecutor Don Trotter has filed charges of first-degree domestic assault and armed criminal action against 26 year-old year-old Dale A Knight, Jr., yesterday (09-20-11.)

Lawrence County Prosecutor Don Trotter

Authorities say the brother's had been drinking before Knight stabbed Robert Elam, 32, and fled the scene after the assault. Elam suffered a collapsed lung and a laceration to his right hand, according to the probable cause statement.

Knight told investigators the fight began when Elam accused him of stealing something from him and began punching him and ended when he stabbed Elam with a box cutter claiming he was "in fear for my life," because Elam had beaten him up several times.

According to court records, Elam told investigators that he told Knight, "they need to stop fighting all the time because they are brothers and he feels bad because every time they fight Mr. Knight gets hurt."  When told that Knight was claiming self defense Elam responded, "he does not see how it was self-defense with a knife."

Knight is being held on $55,000 bond in the Aurora city jail.

Taney County Burglary Suspect Apprehended In South Dakota:

-


Danny Waggoner was captured in South Dakota (mug shot TCSO)

-
The man authorities have been looking for after he walked away from a Springfield hospital where he was being treated for a gunshot wound he received in June when he allegedly attempted to break into a home in Powersite has been captured in Yankton, South Dakota.

Several states have charges pending against Danny Waggoner, 24, of Harrison, Arkansas who was arrested in South Dakota on suspicion of DWI.  When authorities in South Dakota ran Waggoner through NCIC they discovered he was wanted in Taney County.

Waggoner, was injured when the elderly female homeowner fired a shot through a door, was charged with burglary, armed criminal action and tampering with a motor vehicle while he was recovering in the hospital.  However, there was no deputy assigned to stay with him and he walked away from the hospital eight days later. 
-
At the time Waggoner absconded, Russell said the hospital was supposed to notify him when Waggoner was discharged - the hospital says a staff member called and left a message for an investigator that Russell says was not received for several days, “A message was left on the Taney County investigator’s answering machine,” Taney County Sheriff Jimmie Russell said in July. “To my knowledge, this message was never received, and we believe it was a technical issue, because the hospital does have a record of the cell phone call from a phone bill. Our original request of hospital security was for them to contact the sheriff’s office through dispatch, our 24-hour phone line. It was at a later hospital visit that the sheriff’s investigator visiting the hospital gave a security guard his office number also. According to the hospital (chief operating officer), since the investigator’s number was the last one received, the cell phone call from a security guard to the investigator’s office answering machine was made immediately upon Mr. Waggoner leaving the hospital.”
-
Russell says his office had received a tip that Waggoner was in South Dakota and that he's not sure how many other states are interested in Waggoner, but "we're gonna try and get him first.  We was never gonna give up on gettin' him, we knew sooner or later we'd come up with him," said Russell.

While he was on the lam, Waggoner was charged with theft by receiving, second-degree forgery, possession of drug paraphernalia, obstructing governmental operations and drinking in public.  Bond on those charges is $65,000.  He is also being held on a $1,120 cash only bond for driving while suspended and no proof of insurance.

Waggoner's time on the run almost ran out a little over a month ago in Yankton, South Dakota, where he was arrested and booked into the county jail.  However, he gave authorities a fake name and he was eventually released from custody.
-

Courtney Simpson will be sentenced in November (mug shot TCSO)

Waggoner and his accomplice, Courtney Simpson, 21, also of Harrison stole a truck in Arkansas before the attempted burglary.  She pled guilty on September 8th to charges of burglary and tampering with a motor vehicle.  She is scheduled to be sentenced on November 17th in Taney County.

Another Trial Delay For Former Bookkeeper Accused Of Stealing From Hollister Chamber of Commerce:

-

Paula Decker-Criss (mug shot TCSO)

There has been another delay in the five year-old case of a former bookkeeper for the Hollister Chamber of Commerce who is facing charges of stealing from the organization.

Paula Decker-Criss of Blue Eye was charged with felony stealing in July of 2008 after it was discovered during a lengthy investigation that $11,000 was missing from the organization's coffers. 

Prosecutor Jeff Merrell says the defense attorney for Criss told Judge Robert Carter on Monday that Criss is currently hospitalized. Merrell says there is a three year statute of limitations on felony cases excluding murder and sex offenses, "but that doesn't apply after charges have been filed."

Dawn Decker pleaded guilty to stealing from her employer last year

 Criss's former sister-in-law, Paula Decker, who served as Chamber President, was also charged with stealing in connection to the case and pleaded guilty last year and was placed on five years probation.

Criss's trial is now scheduled to begin on January 31st in Taney County.

Former McDonald County Jailer Pleads Guilty To Sex Offense With Minor, Sentenced To Four Years In Prison:

-

Terrie Zornes is accused of raping female inmate in 1994 (mug shot McCSO)

A former jailer in McDonald County has pleaded guilty to charges of sexual misconduct with a minor and has been sentenced to four years in prison. Charges of forcible rape of an inmate were dropped against Zornes in exchange for his guilty plea.

Prosecutors say Terrie Zornes sent a fourteen year-old girl porn and made sexual advances on the teen between September and December of 2010.  The girl told authorities that Zorn tried to molest her while they were in a creek and he later exposed himself to her and made the girl touch him.

In one text message to the girl he reportedly said, “I’m sorry, babe, but if we can’t be together then I’m going to have to get tough with your mom.”
-

Last month Zornes was charged with the forcible rape of Sheena Eastburn in March of 1994 while she was an inmate in the McDonald County jail.
-

According to court documents, Zornes worked as a jailer between Jan. 1 and March 1, 1994, and had “complete authority over the inmate and her environment and welfare at the detention center. Eastburn  was ordered into the property room for sexual purposes, and due to her confined status lacked the ability, authority and mental capacity to resist for fearing for her safety and well-being.”

The probable cause statement alleges that Zornes attempted to alter surveillance video that showed him arriving and leaving the women’s pod of the jail, but that he failed to alter a clock visible in the video.

“This altered video did show a lapse in time on the clock on the wall in the video,” according to the probable cause statement.

Funeral Services Set For Rusty Porter:

-

Rusty and Becky Porter



-

Funeral services have been announced for a man from Willard who was found murdered in a remote rural area of Taney County in July.

In mid April, Rusty Porter and his wife, Rebecca Hufft Elsworth-Porter, were reported missing from their home near Willard.  In July, a Taney County deputy following up on a tip found the couples remains near Protem.

Visitation for Russell "Rusty" Porter will be held on October 1, at 11:00 a.m. at Glad Tidings Assembly of God on Atlantic Street in Springfield.  Funeral services will follow at 1:00 p.m.

Services for Becky Porter were held in August in Crane.  Rusty Porter's remains were identified by MRI imaging from a recent surgery and DNA.

Officials have received confirmation on how the Porter's were murdered but have refused to release that information. Sources close to the investigation say they were shot to death.

Greene County Sheriff Jim Arnott says his office along with the Taney County Sheriff's Office are following leads in the double homicide and asks anyone with information regarding the Porter's deaths to call 417-868-4040 - 417-546-7250 or 9-1-1.

Obituary Released by Family:

Russell Wayne (Rusty) Porter passed from this life to meet his Creator in Heaven at the age of 34. He was born September 20, 1976 in Arlington, TX to Paul M. and Sharon K. Simmons. The family moved to Springfield, MO in 1977 and resided there until the family moved to the old home place located outside of Willard, MO in 1985 to help take care of his grandmother after the passing of his grandfather.

He attended Willard schools from 1985 till graduation in 1994. He attended the Springfield Police Cadet Program where he graduated in 1993. He later attended Ozark Technical Community College and received credit in the automotive field in 1997-98. He contributed part of his love for mechanics to his stepfather, Kenneth D. Simmons, who was a magnificent mechanic.

In 2005 he attended Performance Instruction and Training, LLC and received a Certificate of Completion from the 5 off 5 on program from the Pit Crew U School. He worked at Dale Earnhardt, Inc., and was a tire changer/jack man for Dale Earnhardt, Jr. While at the school he learned race preparation and helped build race cars. He was involved in their Sports and Physical Recreation program and participated in the Hooters Pro Cup Series until injuries ended his career in the NASCAR profession. He was also a fill in jack-man for Carl Edwards of the Busch Series Car at Lowes Motor Speedway in October of 2005.

Rusty worked at Eagle Pride Automotive in Nixa, MO from 2003-2008 as an Automotive Technician. He did auto repair, computer repair and programming, oil changes and automatic transmission servicing as well as changing tires. He was an ASE certified alignment and brake technician and was ASE certified in steering suspension and brakes along with being a state vehicle inspector.

In August of 2009, Rusty and Rebecca moved to Muskogee, OK, where his dad Paul M. Porter and stepmother Judy Porter live, and worked as general maintenance and repair at Avanti Self Storage. Rebecca worked at First National Bank of Muskogee. They moved back to Willard in February 2009 where they were marred on June 12, 2010 at Glad Tidings Assembly of God. They attended church there until their deaths in 2011.

In 2010 when his hands, arms and legs were going numb and he was not able to use them much, he had an MRI and discovered a tumor inside his spinal cord which required life threatening surgery. His chances for being a quadriplegic were very great. With his abilities on the computer he found the National Institute of Research Center in Bethesda, MD which accepted him immediately. He had Spiringomylea which effect 1 in 100,000. They immediately flew him and his wife to Maryland for surgery. By God’s grace he was not paralyzed as Springfield doctors had said he would be. He had physical therapy in Springfield and thanks be to God he began to be able to walk and was beginning to have feeling in his arms again. His hands were still drawn and he was not able to do a lot of things but he kept working to try and get better. During this time he started an online college course in web design with Rasmussan College. Rusty’s objective in life was to “use my leadership skills to obtain new knowledge and further my career in new technology.” Rusty’s goals were “to be a good father and husband, and improve racing technology” and “whatever I do, do it to the best of my ability.”

He died alongside his wife, Rebecca E. Hufft-Ellsworth-Porter. He is preceded in death by his grandfather, Herman Edward Campbell of Willard; grandmother and grandfather of Edgerton, MO, Will and Marilyn Wilson; an uncle Aaron L. Porter of Springfield; stepfather, Kenneth D. Simmons of Willard; a brother-in-law, Rev. Gene Gray of Schell City, MO and stepbrother, Randy Simmons.

He is survived by his children, Logan and Lauren Porter, age 11, of Conway, MO and Russell Luke Porter, age 13, of Nixa, MO; two stepchildren Corey Ellsworth and Jessica Bullock and husband Gary and step granddaughter, McKenna; grandmother Maezinna Campbell Johnson, age 89; his mother, Sharon Kay Simmons bother of Willard; father and stepmother, Paul and Judy Porter of Muskogee, OK; three sisters, Paula Kay Gray and son Clayton Gray of Schell City, MO and daughter Shannon Gray of Bolivar, MO, Sandra J. Higgins and family and Kathy J. Hoback and husband MAJ Richard Hoback IV and their three children, MacKenzie, Ricky and Gabriel all of Temple, TX; stepbrother David Simmmons and wife Stephanie and daughter of Foose, MO; stepsister Deidre Simmons Elrod and husband Matt and two sons of Clever, MO and a number of aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Rusty and Rebecca will be missed not only at the home place outside of Willard but also among his church family and by the friends they had made over the years. We were privileged to have him in our lives.

Career Criminal Sentenced To Ten Years For Involuntary Manslaughter:

-

Billy Ray Hankins (mug shot GCSO)

A career criminal has been sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to involuntary manslaughter for the death of his wife's former boyfriend last year.

Billy R. Hankins, 57, of Springfield, was originally charged with second-degree murder but pleaded guilty to the amended charge as a prior and persistent offender yesterday (09-12-11), according to a news release from the Greene County Prosecuting Attorney’s office.



Prosecutors say Hankins attempted to run over several people in June of 2010 before he backed his truck over forty four year-old Charles Loftis near Harrison and Laurel. Loftis died from his injuries about two weeks after he was critically injured.

Court records indicate that several men went to confront Hankins for beating his wife. When authorities arrived, Hankins had already fled and a police dog was called in to track him. He was found hiding in some bushes not far from the scene of the assault.

Man Sentneced To Twenty Years In Prison In Springfield Cold Case Murder:

-

Richard Leroy Walker (mug shot GCSO)

A man who admitted to stabbing a woman to death in Springfield 28 years ago has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for the crime.

Richard Leroy Walker, 56, told investigators he stabbed twenty two year-old Angela Baskin to death in the parking lot of a motel when she came up behind him and startled him as he was stripping wire in his truck. 
-
He told investigators that he had met Baskin earlier that night at a nearby bar when she asked him to help her find some marijuana. 
-

Angela C. Baskin

Walker admitted his role in the crime to Springfield detectives who went to question him in a Colorado prison where he was serving a life sentence for an unrelated sex offense.  He was always the chief suspect in the case but authorities never had enough evidence to charge him until he confessed.

Baskin's mother, Linda Holt, killed herself on her daughter's grave a few years after her death. In 1995 Baskin's son, who was just a toddler when his mother died, was killed on his mother's birthday when he pulled out in front of an oncoming vehicle in Texas.

Greene County Prosecutor Dan Patterson says Walker will be extradited back to Colorado to serve the remainder of his life sentence there.  If he is paroled, or at the completion of that sentence, he will be returned to Missouri to begin serving the twenty year sentence here.

Man shot at Greyhound Station In Springfield Has Died, Suspect Charged With First Degree Murder:

-



Mohamed H. Dawod is being held on suspicion of first-degree murder and armed criminal action

The Greyhound Bus Station at 2425 N. Kearney in Springfield was closed for a time yesterday as police investigated a deadly shooting that took place near a ticket counter there shortly before 6 p.m. 
-
Initial reports were that thirty two year-old Justin M. Hall, of Mt. Vernon, Ohio, was shot in the back and was not and breathing when he was transported to a local hospital.  He died of his injuries a short time later.

Hall, and the alleged shooter, Mohamed H. Dawod, 25, of Glendale, Arizona, had been passengers on the same bus and there reportedly had not been any problems between the two during their journey that originated in Los Angeles (final destination St. Louis.)
-
According to court documents, shortly after arriving in Springfield Dawod approached Hall and Patrick Beeman, a friend who had been traveling with Hall, while they were waiting in line to board another bus and asked, "if that was our bus."

Beeman told investigators that after he told Dawod it was he got in line behind him and Hall and he heard a loud bang and turned to see Hall lying on the ground with his hands up in a defensive manner yelling, "Hey, man."

Beeman and several other witnesses told detectives that Hall did nothing to provoke the random shooting.

-

Witnesses say police arrived within a minute of shooting (photo courtesy KOLR/KOZL)

-
A passenger who was about two feet away from the victim says Dawod walked up behind Hall and fired a handgun one time.  The victim fell to the ground, and it appeared the gunman tried to fire another shot, but the gun jammed with a live round in the chamber.  Another witness filmed a portion of the incident with his phone cam.
-
Beeman, Eddie Pena and Don Manuel stormed Dawod, knocked the gun away and held him until police took him into custody.  Carlos Sabillon, a Greyhound employee, told investigators he heard Dawood yell, "Let me go, I'm not gonna shoot nobody no more."
-
While being questioned at police headquarters, Dawod asked to be taken to a hospital for treatment of facial and other injuries he sustained in the scuffle with Beeman, Eddie Pena and Don Manuel.  Once back at headquarters Dawod said he had limited understanding of the English language and didn't understand his rights and wanted to speak to an attorney.

Authorities took statements from several witnesses at police headquarters before releasing them to complete their cross country travel. "This is going to be the only time, probably, to speak to them unless we go to their residences, and they're from all over the country," Lt. Scott Leven said.
-
Dawod is being held without bail in the Greene County jail on charges of first-degree murder and armed criminal action.
-
UPDATE 09-13-11:

According to search warrant returns, Dawod had 37 rounds of .22 caliber ammunition, was wearing a knife with a 9 and a 1/2 inch blade in a sheath on his belt.  Dawod also had a passport, several miscellaneous pieces of identification, a GPS system in his luggage.  He also had paperwork for accommodations in Boston in his possession.

The court documents show police found the following items in the gym bag:

• boots
• 9 shirts
• a phone charger
• bank records and other miscellaneous papers
• four pairs of socks
• a black nylon pouch, and
• a remote control

Authorities found the following items in the backpack:

• several miscellaneous items and papers
• a bag
• an inverter
• a GPS device and GPS stand
• a black ammunition magazine
• 37 .22-caliber rifle rounds
• a passport
• a cellular telephone, and
• miscellaneous identification cards for Dawod

The FBI has been brought in to assist in the investigation because of the "language barrier" of Dawod.  Authorities will not comment on if the attack could be connected to the tenth anniversary of 9/11.

Argument Over Broken Water Heater Leads To Stabbing In Stone County:

-

Marsha Diane Clarke (mug shot SCSO)

-
An argument over a water heater appears to be the alleged motive of a stabbing Wednesday night in Stone County.

Stone County Sheriff Richard Hill says authorities from his office and the Christian County Sheriff's Office responded to 1700 Shelvin Rock Road, which is on the Stone and Christian County line, about 8:15 p.m.

Witnesses told investigators that Marsha Diane Clarke, 53, and her live-in boyfriend Marty David Fenley, 45, were arguing with their 38-year-old landlord because he couldn't fix the water heater and about a dog living inside the couples apartment when Clarke allegedly grabbed a long bladed knife and stabbed the landlord.  Per her rental agreement Clarke was not supposed to have an animal living in the apartment, according to a news release from Sheriff Hill.
-
The victim is in stable condition after undergoing surgery at a Springfield hospital for a stab wound to the abdomen.

Clarke has been charged with first degree assault and armed criminal action and is being held in the Stone County jail on $100,000 bond.
-

Marty David Fenley (mug shot SCSO)

 -
Fenley was arrested on a probation violation.  He is accused of violating the terms of his 2005 parole on a conviction of being a persistent drunk driver.  He is being held without bond in the Stone County.

Another Delay In Cole Camp Triple Murder Trial:

-



There has been another delay in the trial of a man accused of killing three relatives back in June of 2009.

The capital murder trial of Robert Blake Blurton was scheduled to begin this October, but it has been delayed until October of 2012 at the request of the defense and the state.

Blurton is accused of robbing and gunning down his aunt and uncle, Sharon and  Donnie Luetjen and their 15 year-old daughter Taron in their Cole Camp home on June 7, 2009.

Add caption

Jury selection is slated to begin October 5th in Clay County where the case was moved on a change of venue.

Ex-Wife Of Former Republic Alderman Admits To Murdering Him:

Rachelle Hansen-Morris (mug shot GCSO)

The ex-wife of a former Republic alderman has entered an Alford plea in connection to his murder in August of 2008.

Rachelle L. Hansen-Morris, 28, entered the plea today in Greene County.  Prosecutors say Rachelle Morris lured 28 year-old Josh Morris to J. R. Martin Park on August 2, 2008, and shot him in front of the couples two children, who were seven and three at the time of their father's murder.

The Morris's were involved in a visitation dispute, according to court records.  Court documents show Josh Morris filed for divorce in August 2007 and was awarded sole custody of the children in March of 2008. Rachelle Morris was denied unsupervised visitation.

According to search warrant documents, investigators found a receipt for a Taurus-brand 9mm handgun and ammunition that were purchased at 9:38 a.m. on Aug. 2 at Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World - just a few hours before Josh Morris was murdered.

Rachelle Morris has been in jail and a mental health hospital since the murder.  Shortly after she was charged Morris was found unfit to stand trial by Greene County Associate Circuit Court Judge Mark Fitzimmons because she was suicidal.  Court documents say her daughter allegedly told police: "After the bang, I saw mommy with a gun pointing it at her head."



Josh Morris was murdered in front of his children


When Josh Morris filed for an order of protection from his former wife in August 2007 he wrote, "My wife and I separated approx. two months ago.  After the separation she attempted suicide and was admitted into the Marian Center. She was released after a week, but her erratic behavior continued."

In October of 2009 Circuit Judge Tom Mountjoy ruled that Morris was competent to stand trial after receiving mental health treatment.

Morris could receive up to life in prison for second-degree murder and armed criminal action when she is sentenced on December 9th.

~DEVELOPING~Dead Man Found In Camden County Field:

Authorities in Camden County are investigating the death of a man who was found in an open field in a rural southern part of the county this afternoon. 

Around 12:30 p.m. the man was found on Native Drive.  It appears the man may have been there for some time.

Southwest Missouri Forensics will perform an autopsy on the unidentified man tomorrow at Springfield Mortuary.