Suspects In Porter Homicide's Named In Court Documents:

Tony Lee and Windy Dawn Friend have been named "target" in Porter murder, according to court documents

A Springfield couple was arrested on drug charges on Wednesday May 30th, but it's what's contained in court documents that make their arrest noteworthy.

According to court documents, when U.S. Marshals served a search warrant at the heavily fortified mobile home of Tony L. and Windy Dawn Friend at 3155 W. Brower St. #10 in Greene County they found seven illegal firearms and live ammunition.

Some paintball guns had been modified to fire shotgun shells and investigators found a syringe that field tested positive for methamphetamine, according to the documents.

Rusty and Becky Porter

In court papers filed to support the couples arrest, investigators named the Friend's as "targets" in the homicide investigation of Russell "Rusty" and Rebecca "Becky" Porter.  The Porter's disappeared from the Willard home on April 17, 2011, and were found shot to death in rural Protem in late July of 2011.

Tony Lee Friend, 44, has convictions of unlawful use of a weapon and domestic assault which make it illegal for him to be in possession of a firearm and is named as the "primary suspect in the Porter homicides, in court documents."
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Darell Huftt, Becky Porter's brother, says Tony Friend is a cousin of Rusty Porter.  Kay Simmons, Rusty Porter's mother said, "He's not related to us."

The probable cause affidavit says there were dead bolts at the top and bottom of the doors of the mobile home - a metal door also went across the middle of the door for added strength.  Windows to the home had been boarded up to make surveillance into the mobile home impossible.  The court documents say that because of those measures it would have prevented any tactical maneuvers by law enforcers such as flash bangs, tear gas, etc.

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The Friend's trailer (courtesy Springfield News Leader)

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Court documents say Tony Friend has threatened a deputy and Greene County Detective Scott Britton who have been working on the Porter homicide investigation.  Britton's family was also threatened, according to those documents.
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Those same documents also allege that Tony Friend has threatened to blow up federal and state judicial centers.  "The defendant has also made threatening statements about actions he would take if law enforcement attempted to arrest him."
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Greene County Detective Scott Britton

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Tony Friend has also had numerous protection orders filed against him, according to online court records.

The federal court documents say that all of the facts relevant to the investigation of the case/s are not listed, only what is need for the probable cause warrant.

Tony Friend, who has been charged with possession of a controlled substance, is being held without bond for the weapons violation in the Greene County jail. 

Windy Friend, 31, was placed on 5 years probation for receiving stolen property in Dade County in 2011 - and an order of protection was filed against her the same year in Dade County.  She was charged with tampering with a motor vehicle in Barry County in July of 2011 and there has been no resolution to that case, according to online court records.

She is being held in the Greene County  jail on charges of possession of a controlled substance and has $100,000 bond.

Greene County Sheriff Jim Arnott said in a news release, inquiries about court documents that say “Defendant is the primary suspect in the Porter homicide” will not be answered. "This case is an on-going investigation and the Greene County Sheriff’s Office cannot make a statement regarding any allegations or the continued investigation of this case, along with any information on Federal or State court records."

~UPDATED~Ozark Authorities Investigating "Suspicous Death Of Missing Person":

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Austin Dakota Atkinson was last seen on May 11th

Authorities in Ozark are investigating the "suspicious death of a person who has been reported missing."

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Yesterday Christian County Sheriff Joey Kyle sent out a news release asking for the publics help in locating 22 year-old Austin Dakota Atkinson who had not been seen or heard from since May 11th.  However, there is another person missing from Ozark, according to Kyle.

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Kyle said Atkinson did show up for his scheduled shift on May 12th at Laser Perfect Striping and Sealing.  Sheriff Kyle said yesterday he was attempting to confirm information that Atkinson may have been seen in Lamar on Memorial Day.

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Christian County dispatcher Linda Mason says "a citizen" found the body near Ozark South Elementary in Ozark.
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The last day of school for the Ozark school district was May 18th.
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UPDATE:
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A man found dead near Ozark South Elementary School on Thursday (May 31st) evening has been identified as 23 year old Scott Rocco.
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Rocco, who may have died from a drug overdose, was last seen April 14 and was officially reported missing two weeks later.  His body was found in the backyard of his mother, according to authorities.
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Christian County authorities are still asking for help from the public in locating Austin Dakota Atkinson, who has not been seen or heard from since May 11th.

Christian County Sheriff Asking For Help In Locating Missing Man:

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Austin Dakota Atkinson

The Christian County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in locating a man who has been missing for almost three weeks.

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Sheriff Joey Kyle says Austin Dakota Atkinson, 22, of Highlandville, was last seen at his place of employment, Lazer Perfect Striping and Sealing, in Nixa on May 11th.  Atkinson did not show up for work the next day and has not been seen or heard from since.

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Kyle says he is trying to confirm reports that Atkinson may have been seen in the Lamar area on Memorial Day.
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Austin Atkinson is a white male, 5’11” tall, and 185lbs. He has brown hair and brown eyes, with the tattoo of a rose on the left side of his neck.
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The missing man drives a red 1990 Dodge Ram pickup truck with Missouri license plate 3WN-518. It’s believed he could have been travelling towards the Kansas City, Missouri area.

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Anyone who has any information about Austin Atkinson, or his current whereabouts, is asked to contact the Christian County Sheriff’s Office at (417) 581-2332 or 9-1-1.

Crane Woman Jailed For Misusing 9-1-1:

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Roberta Darlene Richardson (mug shot SCSO)

A woman from Crane is facing charges of misusing 9-1-1 after calling the emergency line 14 times within an hour and a half saying her boyfriend was being mean to her.

Crane police chief John Elmore says Roberta Darlene Richardson, 46, was allegedly intoxicated when she made the repeated phone calls and even called emergency dispatchers after she was jailed.

Elmore says officers are investigating the woman's complaint against her boyfriend.

Richardson is being held in the Stone County jail on $2,000 bond.

Authorities Investigating Home Burglary On AA Highway:

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Chief Deputy Rich Anderson

Authorities were called to a  home at 6430 State Highway AA on the afternoon of May 21st after the homeowner came home and found the back door "shattered."

Stone County chief deputy Rich Anderson says Marife Murray entered the house through the front door and found several guns missing from a gun cabinet as well as other miscellaneous household items.

At this time, no arrests have been made in connection to the burglary.

Kirbyville Woman Charged With Tampering After Allegedly Stealing Vehicle:

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Audrey Lyn Patrick (mug shot SCSO)

A woman from Kirbyville is facing charges of tampering with a motor vehicle after allegedly stealing a car from a Bluff Road residence on May 23rd.

Forty year-old Audrey Lyn Patrick was dropped off on the desolate road in the early morning hours and was knocking on doors looking for help, according to Stone County chief deputy Rich Anderson.

According to court documents, Patrick stole a car belonging to Jack and Jan Weatherman from 1647 Bluff Road and drove it to 780 Langley Ford Road where she ran through a barbed wire fence before crashing the vehicle on a river embankment.

Patrick told Deputy Kevin Crites she was "lost and didn't know she drove through the fence because she was drunk."  The woman field tested positive for marijuana, according to the probable cause statement.

Patrick was released from the Stone County jail after posting $15,000 bond.

McDonald County Authorities Investigating "Brutal" Murder:

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Caleb Saddler (mug shot Val Verde Co. TX Sheriff)

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Authorities in McDonald County are investigating a "brutal" murder that has investigators in surrounding counties and the Missouri Highway Patrol assisting in the investigation.
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On Tuesday (05-22-12) one of Michael David Smith's brother's called the McDonald County sheriff's office to report that he was missing and that he sometimes stayed at a house just west of Goodman, according to Sheriff Robert Evenson.
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It was during the investigation into Smith's disappearance that an informant told investigator's  that Caleb Saddler allegedly shot 31 year-old Mike Smith, of Goodman, in the head during a dispute either late Thursday (05-17-12 ) night or early Friday morning at a house at 4736 Rt. B Highway, according to Evenson.  The house is about 5 miles west of Goodman in a rural part of the county.
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Mike Smith (courtesy Neosho Daily News)

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Saddler, a 26 year-old welder from Del Rio, Texas, has been charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action.  Court documents say he allegedly attempted to burn Smith's body before he placed the remains in a 55 gallon plastic container. 
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According to the probable cause statement, Sadler filled the barrel with concrete, loaded it on a trailer and dumped Smith's decomposing body in a trash pit on his (Saddler's) grandparents farm on Trout Farm Road between Neosho and Joplin. 
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Smith's remains were recovered today (05-24-12) in Newton County, according to Evenson.
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The handgun allegedly used to kill Smith was "found today at a home in Granby," said Evenson.

Saddler, who was in Missouri to attend a grandparent's funeral when Smith was murdered, was arrested this afternoon in Del Rio and is awaiting extradition back to Missouri.  He has a cash only bond of $100,000.
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"Our informant's didn't come forward while he was still in town," said Evenson.  "I don't know if it was an intimidation thing or they were scared or what."
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Evenson added that the investigation is ongoing and additional charges against other people could be forthcoming.  "We think he (Saddler) may have had helping transporting and disposing of the body."
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Southwest Missouri Forensics is conducting the autopsy of Smith today in Springfield.
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UPDATE 09-05-12:

Judge John Lepage ruled that the state has enough evidence to proceed to trial.  Saddler, who was released from custody after posting a $100,000 cash only bond, was scheduled to be arraigned in circuit court today, however, that has been rescheduled to October 10th.

Businessman Wants To Serve County As Northern Commissioner:

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Mark Maples

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It's all about timing for one of the candidates running for Northern Commissioner.  Mark W. Maples says when he looks back at his life one day he doesn't want to think, "I should've run."

Maples spent the first three years of his life on a farm near Jamesville before his family moved to Nixa.  He graduated from high school there and has had a variety of careers in his adult life.

For three years he worked for Bass Tracker Marine before moving on to an independent oil company where he spent nearly ten years and became part owner of the company.

He and his wife, Teresa, then opened a string of successful convenience stores in Clever, Republic and the Bootheel before selling the operation in 2005.

In 2006, Maples moved his family to a farm near Hurley and started building houses.  "A quality product at a fair price" has made it a successful career choice for the 48 year-old.

Maples says spending his own money on business endeavors sets him apart from the other candidates.  "I've had to work within a budget and make payroll and pay bills before I paid myself.  I know what it's like to work seven days a week and holidays."

The Maples, who have two children and three grandchildren, are members of Hurley Community Baptist Church.

Maples says if he is elected one of the areas he would like to see improvement in is communication with constituents.   "There needs to be better public relations between commissioners and taxpayers.  They need to do a better job of letting people know what's going on, what they've completed and what they're working on."

The following list are promises that Maples, who says he's "not your normal politician," hopes voters remember when they're casting their ballot:

1. I will do my best to provide quality service to all of Stone County.
2. I will give it my all.  It will be a full time job for me not just a part time one and one.
3. I will take care of your tax dollars.
4. I won't utilize the county health insurance.  I've provided my own for over 20 years and that's not gonna change. 

There are some things in the budget that concern Maples; one of those being cell phone usage highlighted in the "fair" grade given to the recent audit of Stone County by State Auditor Tom Schweich.  "I don't understand why we have 90 cell phones for 140 some employees."

The campaign trail has been grueling for the first time candidate.  "I've enjoyed this....but it's harder than I thought it would be. I really have loved getting to meet people."

Maples says people have asked him why he's running.  "It's not because I have to or someone else wants me too.  It's not the benefits, although a paid holiday would be nice.....it's because I WANT to.  I feel I can make a difference.  If it's meant to be, it's gonna happen."

Nixa Mother Allegedly Admits To Using Daughter To Make Child Pornography:

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Megan Bowman (mug shot CCSO)

A woman from Nixa has been charged with exploitation of a minor and promoting child pornography in Christian County after allegedly confessing to using her 3 year-old daughter to make child pornography.

According to the probable cause statement, Megan Nell Bowman, 23, walked in to the Nixa Police Department last Sunday (05-20-12) and said she wanted to confess to creating child pornography.

Bowman told investigators that her husband, Skylar Yanatovic, had discovered a pornographic image of her performing a sex act with one of their children and she wanted to turn herself in.  Yanatovic told investigators the couple were talking about getting back together and "he was concerned she was lying to him about some of their issues" when he found a pornographic email Bowman had sent to another man. 

Yanatovic forwarded the message to two of his email accounts, and then gave authorities access to his account.

Bowman told investigators she began talking with a man she met online after she posted an ad on Craigslist seeking men.  "Megan said the man asked her to take a picture of her" performing the sex act and molesting her daughter.  She allegedly admitted to sending and receiving child pornography on her cellular phone by a phone chat application called "Kik."

When Bowman was shown the photograph she identified it as one she had taken "about a week ago." She identified the mouth as hers and said she angled the camera to make it appear that a sex act was taking place, but "her tongue did not touch her daughter."

Christian County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Donovan Dobbs

This investigation is ongoing and additional statutory sodomy charges related to the alleged child molestation of Bowman's 2 year-old son have been sent to the prosecutors office, according to Christian County chief assistant prosecutor Donovan Dobbs.  Dobbs says his office is waiting to hear from Federal authorities to see if they will pick up the case because Bowman allegedly sent the pictures to multiple men in different states.

Bowman was arraigned in associate circuit court on Monday and she is being held on $50,000 bond.

Her preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 18th.

Galena High School Teacher Says He's Innocent In Alleged Vandalism Probe:

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Bill Mulholland says he's innocent of vandalism allegations

A high school science teacher and baseball coach in Galena has been placed on administrative leave after being accused of vandalizing school property.

William "Bill" Mulholland says he was pulled out of his classroom by the school principal on April 15th and confronted by the School Superintendent Danny Humble and Stone County Sheriff's deputy John Rakeshaw with a video allegedly showing him driving a truck near a gas pump at the school bus barn.

"The person on the video looks like they're stealing gas; I have a key to the gas pump, why would I try to sever a line to steal gas?"  said Mulholland.  "The truck in question has floodlights...mine doesn't.  I'm so disappointed with the sheriff's department - I can prove that truck isn't mine but they don't seem to care."

Suspect vehicle (courtesy: Bill Mulholland)

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Bill Mulholland's vehicle lights

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Attorney Price Kellar, who is representing Mulholland, says his client was ordered off school property 20 minutes after requesting an attorney.

"I teach social studies and government and have always taught my student to exercise their rights so I invoked my rights.  I felt detained," said Mulholland.

"Bill was home in bed with his wife in Republic at 3:30 in the morning on April 15th and no where near Galena when the incident occurred," said Kellar.

According to Stone County Chief Deputy Rich Anderson, "the incident is still under investigation and no paperwork has been forwarded to the prosecutor's office at this time."

Attorney's representing the Galena School District say, "the District acted in accordance with all state laws as well as all District policies and procedures."

Mulholland was elected by students to be the honorary speaker at this years graduation but was not allowed to attend.  "Students have wanted to know why I was not able to attend graduation. I want them to know that I was not allowed to attend by administration. I have worked hard to teach my students and wanted to see that day and was honored to be elected by them to speak. I will miss them."

"I just want my good name cleared and to be hopefully reinstated," said Mulholland.

Preliminary Hearings Postponed For Trio Facing Murder Charges In Stone County:

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The preliminary hearings for three people charged with first-degree murder have been postponed.

Teri Dean-Morrison and her roommates Eugene Crider and Cheryl Crawford are facing the charge for the murder of Carl Anderson who went missing in February after attending a party at Dean-Morrison's house.  His body was found in a pond on property owned by a former boyfriend of Dean-Morrison's in March.

The trio were scheduled for their hearings on May 25th, however, due to him trying a case in Lawrence County prosecutor Matt Selby asked that the date be re-set to June 22nd.

Former Newspaper Editor Sentenced For Stealing:

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Pamalie Davis

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The former managing editor of the Crane Chronicle has pleaded guilty to stealing from the newspaper and has been placed on five years probation.

Pamalie Davis , 49, who was charged with three counts of felony stealing in 2010, must also pay $24,000 in restitution to her former employer. 

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Janet Gilbert

 Another former employee of the paper, Janet Gilbert, 47, of Crane, was also charged with felony stealing in 2010, and is due back in court on June 13th to either resolve the case or have it set for a bench trial.

Gilbert's case was transferred to Lawrence County on a change of venue.

Stone Vying For Northern Commissioner Seat:

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Robert Stone

Robert Stone hasn't lived in Stone County as long as some of the other candidates seeking the office of Northern Commissioner, but in the two years he and his family have lived here he has become deeply involved in the community.

Stone, 50,  and his wife, Luda, opened a community center in Galena that's main focus is youth.  "We kept hearing there was nothing for kids to do here so we wanted to give young people an outlet that was safe."  The center is open three nights a week and averages about twenty kids a night, according to Stone. They hope to expand the program with a new building next year so that more kids from surrounding areas can participate.

He also jump started the defunct Galena Area Chamber of Commerce, of which he is president, and sits on the council of the University of Missouri Extension Office in Stone County.

A graduate from the Air Force Academy, Stone worked as program manager for Department of Defense Embassy aircraft in Latin America, a multi-million dollar, international program.  "I know how to get things done and operate within a budget."

Roads and road maintenance is one of the areas that Stone believes could benefit from a cooperative agreement between surrounding counties and municipalities.

"I think it would benefit all of us to have a cooperative where we could share equipment and knowledge. Most of our cities and incorporated villages are on a very tight budget. We could pool our resources to buy and maintain equipment that could be used to repair roads using hot patches and volunteers from towns or areas that either legal or county manpower or budget restraints can't provide. We can train city maintenance workers and certain volunteers to safely operate equipment and then municipalities and others share time and cost."
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Stone's family has deep roots in the Ozarks that date back over 160 years; his father grew up in Monett and his grandfather lived in Sparta.  He says he learned a life lesson from his father early in life that he still applies to daily life," A man is only as good as his word."

Stone is also a member of the Enhance Enterprise Zone Committee that is attempting to entice businesses to move operations to Stone County.  "We need to bring quality employer's to the area."  Stone says he is talking with a manufacturer that could potentially employ up to sixty people and would like to see a grocery store open in Galena.

In 2005 Stone was diagnosed with Stage 4 Melanoma while visiting his parents during a vacation from Missionary work. "I'm not supposed to be here...at least that's what the doctor's said. Because of the urgency of the times, and knowing life is short, we have to take advantage of every opportunity to serve the community and the Lord."

"I've lived in over 120 countries and of all the places I've been the people here are what make me want to stay.  I love living here."

AG Wants Death Dates Set For Three Captial Murderers From The Ozarks:

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Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster is asking the State Supreme Court to set execution dates for 19 death row inmates, including three from the Ozarks.

Koster says the inmates can no longer appeal their sentences and no stays of execution are in effect at this time for the offenders.

David Zink, 52, of Osceola, was convicted for the 2001 murder of 19 year-old Amanda Morton.

Morton's car had been deliberately rear-ended by Zink on an off-ramp at the Strafford exit on I-44 in the early morning hours of July 12, 2001. She called her parents and then 9-1-1 but was kidnapped before help could arrive.

After authorities issued a statewide alert for the missing woman a motel clerk in Camdenton recognized Morton and called police. Zink, who had been released from a Texas five months before Morton's murder, was arrested at his home and led authorities to a shallow grave in a cemetery in Osceola where he had buried Morton.

In 2004 a jury in St. Clair County convicted Zink and the conviction was upheld by the high court in 2008.


Cecil Clayton, 72, of Purdy, was found guilty of capital murder for the shooting death of 29 year-old Barry County Sheriff’s Deputy Chris Castetter in November of 1996.

Cecil Clayton

Clayton was arrested at his residence about 45 minutes after Castetter was shot in his patrol car while responding to a suspicious vehicle call.  The shooting occurred outside the home of Clayton's estranged girlfriend's mother.
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Clayton was convicted in November 1997 and his death sentence was upheld in November 2008.

Walter "Arkie"  Barton, 56, of Ozark, was convicted of stabbing to death his landlady, 81 year-old Gladys Kuehler, at a trailer park in October of 1991.  Barton had done odd jobs around the trailer park and stabbed the elderly woman when she refused to loan him money, according to published reports.

Walter Barton

Barton was tried five times for Kuehler's murder.  His 1994 conviction and death sentence was reversed by the high court because a judge did not let Barton's attorney complete his closing argument.  Two other trials ended in mistrials and one other was thrown out by the high court.

In 2006, former Christian County prosecutor Ron Cleek secured a conviction that was upheld.

Stone County Deputies Who Arrested Crane Alderwoman File Defamation Lawsuit:

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The two deputies who arrested Crane alderwoman Jessica White on May 5th have filed a lawsuit for defamation of character.

Attorney Richard Crites, who is also a reserve deputy for the Stone County Sheriff's Office, says his clients, Deputies Taylor Jenkins and Brandon Flack, were only doing their job when they were assaulted by Jessica White.  White's husband, Jordan, and her father-in-law Donny "Stick" White were charged for interfering with an arrest.

Jessica White (mug shot SCSO)

The attorney for the Whites, John Dale Wiley, who is also named in the defamation lawsuit, issued a statement last week to the news media saying the arrests of the White's were uncalled for and they were the victim's of police brutality. 

To further support his claim, Wiley set up the website www.stonecountypolicebrutality.com that shows video that was taken during the melee.   That website has gotten over 10,000 hits in the last week. "I have information that Dale Wiley either edited that video or he had the video edited.  We would like to see the whole unedited tape," said Crites.

Richard Crites

Crites says the White's were returning from a Cinco de Mayo party when they encountered police in their driveway.  Brittany Barnett, who is Jessica White's cousin, had been pulled over for a traffic violation and her husband, Thomas, was being arrested on a municipal warrant out of Crane when the White's arrived.

"My clients had the right to be in that driveway.  Brittany Barnett pulled in there - they didn't need probable cause...they had reasonable suspicion.  She (Jessica White) reacted because she was drunk. Alcohol and stupidity go like bacon and eggs,” Crites said. “I don't care what Dale Wiley says, you don't have an excuse to go up and hit somebody in the head that's a cop.  Dale Wiley wants everyone in Stone County to believe that Stone County deputies are brutal.  It's all about money."

Crites also believes Wiley's motives are political.  "Dale Wiley is probably going to run for prosecutor in the next election, and he is also trying to see to it that Doug Rader is elected as Sheriff this time."

Dale Wiley

"He (Wiley) slandered my clients and is trying to get his client's off and make money.  Bottom line, my client/s had a job to do and they were assaulted when they were on duty."
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As of today (05-16-12) the White's have not filed a lawsuit against either of the deputies or the Stone County Sheriff's Office.
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In a news release from Wiley dated May 16th he says, "Jessica in her roles at Stone County National Bank and as an Alderwoman is one of the most visible faces in Crane.  Sheriff Hill continues to insist my clients were intoxicated, however none of the deputies did any checks to determine whether or not they actually were.  If there were any question of my client's intoxication, the deputies would have documented this through testing which was not done at the scene or at the jail.  My clients were not intoxicated. 

The back and forth between the sheriff's office, Crites and Wiley has to do with the video and how it has been edited.

Wiley also said in the release, "The video that we presented on www.stonecountypolicebrutality.com was compiled.  The video was stopped at certain point to add emphasis.  But there are no missing pieces. Nothing has been removed.  You see all of both videos, one from the driver of the stopped car (the one which contains video of the traffic stop,) and one from Dustin White (the video which best shows the action of the officers.)

I have tried criminal and civil trials for 14 years, and have found that juries in southwest Missouri do an excellent job of getting to the truth in any case,"  said Wiley.  "This is where I prefer to try my cases.  If Sheriff Hill continues to feel the need to try this case in the press, I may be forced to comply.  If not, I look forward to seeing them in court."

Seaman Sentenced To 21 1/2 Years for Dulin's Murder (Mills' Confession attached):

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Tim Seaman was sentenced to 21 and a 1/2 years

A man from Crane who pleaded guilty in March to the 2006 murder of  David Dulin was sentenced last Friday (05-11-12) to 21 and a 1/2 years in prison.

Timothy Lee Seaman, 37, was originally charged with first-degree murder but pleaded guilty to amended charges of second-degree murder.  As part of the plea agreement, charges of robbery and armed criminal action were dismissed against Seaman.

“This wasn't a drug deal gone bad that night - Dave Dulin was truly an innocent bystander who had his life stolen away from him.”  Stone County prosecutor Matt Selby told the court. “This was the work of two men who wanted to get high and planned a robbery.”

Stone County Prosecutor Matt Selby

The high-profile murder case has taken a number of dramatic twists and turns in the five-and-a-half years since it was committed, including a trip to the Missouri Supreme Court.

It was Zack Stewart, Seaman's brother-in-law, who was originally charged for the November 29, 2006, shooting death of fifty three year-old Dulin, a resident of Hurley.  The Missouri Supreme Court ruled in 2010 that Stewart deserved a new trial based on evidence collected at the crime scene and evidence uncovered while he was jailed.

During Stewart's trial in Greene County, where the case was moved to on a change of venue, a family member of Dulin's told Selby that a hat that he introduced into evidence as belonging to Dulin was not his.  Selby asked the crime lab to put an Alpha rush on the hat during trial and DNA on the cap came back with a hit for Seaman's DNA.  Even with that evidence, the jury convicted the then 19 year-old Stewart.

David Dulin (family photo)

As Selby was preparing to retry Stewart, he received "bombshell" evidence that led him to dismiss charges against Stewart and charge Seaman.  That evidence came from John Mills who was offered a deal of immunity if he would tell investigator's what happened the night Dulin was murdered.

What Mills told them stunned everyone involved in the deal...he was the second man Dulin referred to as he lay dying in a recorded 9-1-1 call.

Dave Dulin's house on Tin Can Hollow

“That was a bombshell.  We thought that he had some knowledge, but we didn’t think he was a participant,” said Selby.

Mills told investigators he witnessed Seaman gun Dulin down that cool fall night because they wanted to continue to party.

The following is the complete unadulterated written statement made by Mills to investigator's and it has never before been made public.  It was obtained by this reporter by a Sunshine request:

The night of David Dulin's murder started out with Tim Seamon (sic) and myself drinking vodka at Ritchy and Amanda's house.  After Ritchy and Amanda went to sleep Tim and I sat up talking tying to figure out how to get some meth.  Tim stated he could get some meth in California if we could get the gas money to go.  I stated why don't we just rob somebody.  I told him I could get a gun and that we should just shoot someone in the head and take their money.  So we decided to go to my dad's house to get a gun.  We drove to my dads in my ford tarous (sic) and I went in to get a gun.  My dad woke up to let me in and then he went to use the restroom.  While he was in the restroom I went in his bedroom and got a 22 caliber pistol out from under his pillow and stuck it in my waistband.  I told my dad I was going to stay the night at Ritchy's and I left.  When we were going back toward Ritchy's, Tim navigated on which way for me to go.  We wound up goin to David Dulins and pulling in the drive by his SUV.  We got out of the car and I stuck the gun in between my left arm and ribcage.  Tim walked in front of me and David Dulin met us at the front door and invited us in.  We came in and sat on his couch & Tim started talking with him.  Tim was talking something about death and dying then he gestured to me to give him the gun.  He was in between me and Dulin - I let the gun slide down from between my arm and ribs and slid it to him on the couch.  After that Tim stood up and said everybody's gotta die sometime and pointed the pistol at David while he was in his chair and shot him in the head.  David got up with another 22 pistol and Tim dropped my dads pistol and they spun around and they wound up in the floor with Tim on top.  About four shots went off from Davids gun.  I picked up my dads gun off the floor and shot David in the side of the head and in his stomach.  After that Tim got up and said lets get out of here.  We ran out and got in my car and headed back to Ritchy and Amandas.  When we got there Tim said we need to burn our clothes so we did.  Then we washed our hands with bleach.  Later on we was sitting in the bedroom and I seen Tim had taken Davids pistol with a laser light on it.  Then next morning we hid the guns in the woods but I  had to take my dads back because he was gonna report it stolen.

A list of items is the last page of the statement; 

• A 22 9 shot revolver---took it back to dads house
• I was wearing a black jacket that said AAA concrete and a tan Mills concrete hat
• Tim was wearing a ball cap & flannel jacket
• I knew ahead of time that we were gonna kill somebody

Selby has said in the past that the prosecution and conviction of Stewart, who was innocent, "is a prosecutor's worst nightmare." 

When Selby addressed the court at Seaman's sentencing he said, "He (Seaman) stood idly by in the shadows while his brother-in-law was tried and convicted of a crime he didn't commit.  I regret for the family, the state and the community that he (Mills) is not going to be prosecuted for David Dulin's murder.  Referencing the deal he made with Mills, "It did tell us we know for sure who killed David Dulin but we also now know who didn't kill Mr. Dulin."

Seaman's attorney Chris Hatley asked the court to sentence his client to 15 years in prison.  "He (Seaman) never stood here and said he killed David Dulin...it was John Mills.  He never stood here and said he shot David Dulin or robbed Mr. Dulin.  He never came forward, but neither did John Mills.  That doesn't mean he is not guilty in the eyes of the law."

John Mills was recently sentenced to 12 years in prison

Mills was sentenced last month to 7 years in prison on various weapons charges unrelated to Dulin's murder.  His 5 year probation for domestic violence was also revoked at that time.  The judge in that case was unable to take into consideration anything having to do with Dulin's murder.

Hatley also took aim at the immunity deal, "I believe it when Mr. Selby says if he had it to do all over again he wouldn't."

Under state law, Seaman must serve at least 85 percent of his sentence before he is eligible for parole.

Reeds Spring Man Charged With Domestic Assault After Attempting To Torch Wife:

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Dwayne James (mug shot SCSO)

A man from Reeds Spring was charged with domestic assault after allegedly trying to set his wife on fire on May 6th.

According to the probable cause statement, Dwayne D. James, 41,  accused his wife of using drugs then sprayed sprayed her with WD-40 and attempted to use a cigarette lighter to light her on fire.

When James was unable to spark the blaze, he “proceeded to punch her four to five times in the top of her head with a closed fist,” according to the statement.

A juvenile who witnessed the scene told officers that after James punched his wife, she attempted to call 911, but James “ripped the phone out of her hands,” according to the statement.

Another witness said James “sprayed (his wife) with WD-40 and tried to light her on fire... (James) grabbed her arm and twisted it (until) it hurt and tried to pull her out of the house to leave with him even though she did not want to go,” according to the statement.

James, who is being held on $75,000 bond, is scheduled to appear in court again on May 15th.  If he is convicted, he could be sentenced to up to 15 years in prison.

Scobee Seeks Northern Commissioner's Office:

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Larry Scobee

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He spent his whole working career serving the public before he retired, now Larry Scobee wants voters of Stone County to let him serve the community where he grew up.

Scobee, 56, graduated from Reeds Spring High School and began working for Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDot) in 1977.  He was assigned to the Galena Maintenance Facility where he worked his way up through the ranks and spent the last 12 and a half years of his career as a supervisor before retiring in 2008.

Since retiring, Scobee has kept himself busy with a topsoil farm and working part time in the city maintenance department in Reeds Spring.

While he has felt the call to seek public office for a while now, Scobee says he respected the job that Kenneth Booth, who died while he was in office, was doing and didn't want to run against him.
Governor Jay Nixon appointed Jim Huy, who is also running for Northern Commissioner, about a year and a half ago to serve the remainder of Booth's term. 

Scobee says the system current commissioners are using "is a really good method and system of doing things.  I don't see myself making any big changes with the way things are done.  I don't believe in cutting people--I have seen first hand what happens when you cut people."

"The two biggest budgets in the county are the Sheriff's (Office) and Road and Bridge (Department)."  Scobee's father, George Scobee, was sheriff in Stone County in the 80's and he says he admired the way his father struggled to stay within the confines of his budget while still giving the community the best service possible. "I believe the Sheriff's Office should be allowed to have enough money to do their job properly and the Road and Bridge Department has three excellent foremen at this time."

Noting dwindling tax revenues Scobee says, "We have to be able to hold our head above water and not go backwards.  I believe the knowledge and training I received at MoDot has prepared me to serve as Northern Commissioner."

"You can speculate about what you'd do, but you're not really going to know until you get in there.  This job would be a step up for me, and I understand its not the same kind of job I had with MoDot.  It would be a challenge for anyone - but I'm up for it."

Scobee has been married to his wife, Debbie, who is the Stone County Circuit Clerk (which is a state held office,) for 30 years.  They have two children and four grandchildren and he serves as a Deacon at Keystone Baptist Church.

"The only big change I would like to see is the name plate on the front of the desk of the Northern Commissioner," said Scobee.

Next week we will have an interview with Robert Stone who is also running for Northern Commissioner.

Alderwoman's Attorney Says Videotaped Evidence Will Clear His Client (with link to video):

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Jessica White is charged with assaulting a law enforcement officer

The attorney for Crane alderwoman Jessica White, who was arrested and charged with assaulting a law enforcement officer on May 5th, says the videotaped evidence he has will prove his client is innocent of allegedly hitting a deputy in the back of the head.

Attorney Dale Wiley says his client was returning from playing basketball at the city park when they encountered a Stone County deputy in their driveway who had pulled over Brittany Barnett, who is Jessica White's cousin, for a traffic violation. 

When the deputy ran the occupants of the vehicle for warrants he found that one of the people in the car, Thomas Barnett, was wanted for not paying a traffic fine in Crane.

The deputy called for back-up from a Crane police officer.  "I was telling her (Brittany) to be quiet and listen to the officers," said White at meeting in Wiley's office.  "By her disrespecting them I felt like she was disrespecting me."

Wiley says White, her husband Jordan, and her father-in-law Donny "Stick" White were told to move to the carport and not go inside by the officers.  "Then two late-arriving officers came and began to shine their flashlights into the White's cars, in the cutilage of their house.  They did not have any logical reason, much less probable cause, to do so.  They certainly did not have a warrant."

"We don't have an issue with the Crane police officer," said Wiley.

Attorney Dale Wiley

The videotape does not show anything that happened during the traffic stop and arrest of Thomas Barnett and it begins near the carport of the White's home.  At one point Jessica White asks a deputy who is attempting to cuff her husband, "who are you...why are you doing this." 

"What happened next had nothing to do with interfering with an officer.  It had nothing to do with resisting arrest," said Wiley.

Wiley says Jessica White was defending her family when she hit the officer in the back of the head.  "I believe it was a reflex action when she saw they were being hurt."

He says his clients suffered broken ribs, torn ligaments and approximately eight taser assaults, including at least one in the genital area.  Wiley has set up a website with the video at www.stonecountypolicebrutality.com
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Wiley refutes the claim made by an officer who wrote in a probable cause statement that Jessica White was allegedly intoxicated.  "I wish Sheriff Hill and his deputies had taken the time to interview the numerous witnesses to this event.  In that light, when we are done investigating, we will release our side of the story and the videos that clearly refute the outrageous comments contained in Sheriff Hill's press release."

"My clients wish to state clearly that the majority of officers who were present on Saturday were well-mannered and pleasant.  But the ones who participated in these vicious and senseless assaults while having no reason to be on our client's property deserve to answer for their actions."

Seaman Sentenced For Dulin's Murder:

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A Stone County man who pleaded guilty in March to the 2006 murder of David Dulin has been sentenced to 21 and a 1/2 years in prison.

Seaman could be sentenced to 21.5 years

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Tim Seaman, 37, of Crane, was originally charged with first degree murder but pleaded guilty to amended charges of second-degree murder for the November 29, 2006 shooting death of 53 year-old Dulin. Charges of robbery and armed criminal action were dismissed against Seaman as part of the plea agreement.
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John Mills, was offered immunity for his testimony against Seaman for his part in Dulin's murder. Mills was sentenced last month to 12 years in prison for various weapons charges and domestic assault in unrelated case's.

John Mills was offered immunity for his testimony

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In 2008, Zackary Lee Stewart, who is Seaman's brother-in-law, was tried and convicted in Greene County of first-degree murder for Dulin's murder. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole but the Missouri Supreme Court ordered that he receive a new trial in 2010. In December of 2010, Stone County prosecutor Matt Selby charged Seaman with Dulin's murder and announced he would not re-try Stewart for Dulin's murder.

Phillips 66 In Crane Busted For Alleged Illegal Gambling Operation:

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Aman Pasricha has been charged with promoting gambling

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Authorities in Stone County have shut down an alleged illegal gambling operation at the Phillips 66 convenience store in Crane.

Police chief John Elmore says he witnessed slot machines being moved into the store, which sits across from City Hall and the police department, about a month ago and asked the manager about them.

"He told me you had to buy an Internet card in order to use them and that no paper money would be accepted in the machines.  I contacted the gaming commission and COMET  (Combined Ozarks Multi Jurisdictional Enforcement Team,) who sent in undercover officers.

Elmore says the undercover officers called him and said, "Hi, Chief....we've been gambling in your town."  The undercover cops told Elmore they played the machines and were paid out by the store cashier for their winnings.  They then purchased some lottery tickets with some of the winnings as  additional evidence of being inside the store, said Elmore. 
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"Its not like they (the illegal slot machines) were in a back room or anything...they were right out in the open," said the Chief.  A sign posted above the machines indicated a possible payout of up to $2,500 dollars.

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One of the machines seized in the sting

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Elmore and COMET turned over the evidence they had collected to a judge who issued a search warrant for the business on May 9th.  That warrant was executed at 1:30 p.m. on May 10th.

The manager of the store, Aman Pasricha, 29, has been charged with promoting gambling. 

According to the probable cause statement used as the basis of the charge, undercover officers visited the store on May 3rd and placed cash in the slot machines and a short time later cashed out and took the ticket to the cashier who paid them in cash from the store register.  "Pasricha told us the more we play the better the chances of winning."

"We seized the two machines and the US currency inside of it.  We also located an audit slip dated April 24, 2012, showing that machine #1 had taken in a total of $2198.00 and paid out a total of #1896.00 with a grand total in being $8839.00 and grand total paid out had been $4736.55.  A second audit slip from machine #2 dated April 24, 2012, showed a total of $455.00 in and $415.70 paid and and a grand total of $5270.00 paid in and a grand total of $1311.00 paid out."
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Seized were to two electronic gambling devices, several hundred dollars in U.S. Currency and other items of evidentiary value.

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There was one other person in the store at the time of the raid.  That person was playing one of the illegal machines, according to Elmore.  At this time it is unknown if charges will be pursued against that person.
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Officers with the Stone County Sheriff’s Office and the Crane Police Department assisted COMET officers in the execution of the warrant.

Pasricha is being held on $2,500 bond.

Man Who Left Toddler Alone While He Went To Methadone Clinic Will Stand Trial For Murder:

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Eric Hicks will stand trial for Emjay Corn's death

The man accused of leaving a toddler alone to die while he sought treatment at a methadone clinic last October will stand trial for the little boy's death.

Attorney's for Eric Hicks, 29, waived their clients right to a preliminary hearing today in Jasper County.

Emjay and Nichole (family photo)

On October 27, 2011, authorities were called to 1322 S. Pennsylvania Ave. after Nichole Hall, 32, threatened to kill herself and everyone in the house, according to sources close to the case. Hall was taken to a hospital that evening.

On October 29th, Hall's boyfriend, Hicks called authorities about 10:45 a.m. after he returned from the methadone clinic to say he found 18 month-old Emjay Braxton Corn, whom he left alone, dead in his crib. He told authorities he had been gone about an hour.

According to the probable cause statement, Emjay was full clothed and had bruises on his face. Hicks told investigators that he had "sole care, custody and control of the infant since October 27th when Nichole Hall (Emjay's mother) was taken for a mental evaluation."

Authorities ruled the cause of little Emjay's death was blunt force trauma to the head in November.

According to the medical examiner who conducted the autopsy, "After the injury the child would have been in a comatose state with death occurring shortly thereafter." Hicks is the only person who had contact with the baby from the time he was last seen alive until the baby died from blunt force trauma to the head, according to court documents.

When asked if Emjay's injuries could have been caused by Hall prior to her hospitalization, or if the boy could have been dead for several hours or up to a day before Hicks's timeline, Joplin police Lt. Brian Lewis said at the time, "We're waiting on a forensic pathologist/anthropologist to establish a timeline in the case."

Authorities were called back out to the Pennsylvania Avenue house at least twice after Hall was released from the hospital. "On November 3rd an officer was requested to call the home and on November 4th there was a follow up," said Lewis.

Hall had been re-admitted to the mental hospital in early November but has since been released, according to sources close to the couple.

Hicks, who is is being held on $50,000 bond, is scheduled to be arraigned in circuit court on May 21st.

Stone County Prosecutor Charges Crider With Anderson's Murder:

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Eugene K. Crider is now charged with murder

A third person has now been charged with murder in connection to the February disappearance of a Highlandville man.

On May 7th Stone County prosecutor Matt Selby charged Eugene "Gene" K. Crider, 42, with first-degree murder.  Crider was charged in March with tampering with physical evidence in connection to the disappearance of Carl Glenn Anderson.

Carl Anderson

Crider lived with Teri Dean-Morrison and Cheryl Crawford at 263 Akita Run near Hootentown. In early March investigators found blood throughout the home that lab tests determined belonged to Anderson.

263 Akita Run

Anderson was last seen at a party at the Hootentown address, according to authorities.

According to the probable cause statement filed against Crider, "On 02-27-12 Eugene admitted to a witness that Carl Anderson was beaten to death with a hammer and that during the attack he broke the window's and door when he (Anderson) attempted to flea (sic).  Eugene also admitted that he disposed of Carl Anderson's body by burning it and he asked to use her vehicle to move his remains."

In the probable cause statement's filed against Dean-Morrison and Crawford, who are also charged with first-degree murder, investigators said that home was cleaned up and some of its contents were burned, moved and/or replaced in an effort to conceal Anderson’s murder.

Stone County Detective Matt Maggard writes in the newest probable cause affidavit, "Eugene Crider was aware that evidence of Anderson being murdered was found and that evidence that he had helped dispose of the body was located.  On 03-06-12 a shovel and gas can were observed in the back of his pickup.  On 03-07-12 he left the residence and on 3-8 the truck was parked and left at Wal-Mart in Springfield to avoid law enforcement from finding it.  Eugene later had Krystal Buras remove and hide items from his truck including the shovel."

Krystal Nicole Buras

Last month, Krystal Nicole Buras, 30, of Spring, Texas, was arrested and charged with tampering with physical evidence when she attempted to visit Crider at the Stone County jail.

When Crider, Crawford and Dean-Morrison were arrested near Lake Ozark on March 9th their cell phones were confiscated and proved to be a valuable tool in pinpointing the areas the trio had been.

One of the places the suspects had spent a considerable amount of time at was the rural property of Earl Kearney off of Highway OO near Reeds Spring.  Kearney is a former boyfriend of Dean-Morrison.

A search warrant was granted on March 19th for investigator's to search Kearney property.  It was during a second search of Kearney's property on March 21st that detectives found human remains in a pond.  The Missouri Highway Patrol Crime Lab determined that the remains belonged to Anderson.

Crider, Crawford and Dean-Morrison remain jailed on $1 Million dollars bond each.  Crider is due back in court on May 22nd. 

Crawford and Dean-Morrison are scheduled to have a dual preliminary hearing on May 25th.

Crane City Alderwoman Charged With Assaulting Law Enforcement Officer:

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Ward 1 Alderwoman Jessica White has been charged with assaulting a law enforcement officer

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A city alderwoman from Crane has been charged with misdemeanor assault of a law enforcement officer following an incident last weekend.

According to Sheriff Richard Hill, an deputy pulled over a vehicle about 11:00 p.m. Saturday (05-05-12) at 607 Hemphill that "was being operated in a suspicious manner."  When the deputy approached the vehicle he "could smell a strong odor of intoxicants coming from inside the vehicle."

Thomas Barnett (mug shot SCSO)

One of the occupants of the vehicle, Thomas Barnett, 27, of  Brookline, was wanted on a municipal traffic warrant out of Crane.  When officer Richard Morrison attempted to arrest Barnett he was allegedly assaulted by Brittany Barnett.  Hill says Brittany Nichole Barnett, 23, also of Brookline, kicked an officer in the groin and she has been charged with misdemeanor assault of a law enforcement officer.

Brittany Barnett (mug shot SCSO)

Stone County deputies had been called to back-up Morrison and Hill says several people attempted to interfere with the arrest of Thomas Barnett. 

Jordan White (mug shot SCSO)

Court records say that Jordan Ray White, 26, of Crane, attempted to intimidate officers at the scene by ordering them off of his property.  "I informed White to sit down and remain quiet"  White then screamed "this is my f*****g property."  As Deputy Taylor Jenkins attempted to arrest Jordan White he allegedly drew back his fist in an attempt to strike the deputy.  Jenkins used his forearm and bicep to block the punch and struck White in the face.  He has been charged with resisting or interfering with an arrest.

Donald White (mug shot SCSO)

According to the probable cause statement filed against Donald R. White, 56, from Aurora, the man attempted to punch deputies Brandon Flack and Jenkins.  When he was ordered to put his hands behind his back he refused to comply and continued to fight with officers, at which point he was tazed.  He has been charged with resisting or interfering with an arrest.

Jessica Beth White, 31, who is Ward 1 Alderwoman, was allegedly intoxicated when she hit Jenkins in the back of the head, according to court records.   She has been charges with assault of a law enforcement officer.
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Attempts to reach Jessica White for comment were not returned.
The investigation is ongoing, according to Sheriff Hill.