After spending 43-years in prison, a Kansas City man convicted of a triple murder is a free man. Judge James Welsh concluded that prosecutors met the burden of providing convincing evidence that undermines Strickland’s conviction in the 1978 murder of three people. The judge also pointed out that there was no physical evidence […]
Tag: prosecuting attorney
Missouri State Auditor releases audit of Sullivan County with “Fair” rating; audit identifies several areas needing improvement
State Auditor Nicole Galloway today released an audit of Sullivan County, located in northern Missouri. The report gave a rating of “fair” and highlighted several controls and procedures in county offices that need improvement. The rating is an improvement from the previous audit, which gave the lowest possible rating of “poor.” “While this audit showed […]
Unusual incident in Chillicothe on Halloween results in arrest
Livingston County Sheriff Steve Cox has released information about an incident the night of October 31, 2021, which resulted in a man being taken into custody. Cox reports Deputy Nicholas Leadbetter and K-9 Zaki were leaving the sheriff’s office side of the law enforcement center in Chillicothe when the deputy observed a person wearing a […]
3 issues on the ballot in Clinton County today
Several measures are on the ballot for a special election in Clinton County November 2. Proposition 1 asks if the county should impose a county-wide sales tax of half of a percent for 10 years beginning April 1st, 2022 and expiring April 1st, 2032 for the purpose to improve county law enforcement services. Additional revenue […]
Brookfield man sentenced to 30-years in prison in murder case that resulted in death of 11-year old boy
The Linn County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office reports a man has been sentenced on felony charges of abuse or neglect of a child resulting in death and abuse or neglect of a child. Fifty-year-year old Darrel Royal was sentenced in Livingston County Circuit Court on November 1, 2021, to 30 years in the Missouri Department of […]
Cybersecurity expert demands apology from Missouri governor over hacking claims
(Missouri Independent) – A cybersecurity expert targeted for investigation by Missouri Gov. Mike Parson is demanding a public apology and payment for his costs for legal help and damage to his reputation. Shaji Khan, an associate professor at the University of Missouri-St. Louis and the director of its Cybersecurity Institute made the demand in a letter sent […]
Governor Parson doubles down on push to prosecute reporter who found security flaw in state site
(Missouri Independent) – Gov. Mike Parson escalated his war with the St. Louis Post-Dispatch on Wednesday when his political operation published a video doubling down on his attack against a reporter who informed the state that a state website revealed teacher Social Security numbers. The video is produced by Uniting Missouri, a political action committee created by […]
Democrats say Missouri governor inflating cost of fixing website flaw found by reporter
(Missouri Independent) -When Gov. Mike Parson last week angrily called for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch to be prosecuted for uncovering security flaws on a state agency website, he said the newspaper’s actions could “cost Missouri taxpayers up to $50 million.” That amount, two Democrats on the House Budget Committee said Tuesday, is an estimate for providing […]
17-year-old girl from Chillicothe believed to have died from taking counterfeit pills; Two suspects in custody
Chillicothe Police on Sunday conducted a suspicious death investigation involving a teenager who is believed to have ingested what police call “Counterfeit Prescription Pills.” Two people of interest from Chillicothe have been arrested and were charged on Monday for their alleged roles in the death of the 17-year-old girl. On Sunday at 11:30, Chillicothe officers […]
Missouri State Auditor issues report of Daviess County’s financial statements
State Auditor Nicole Galloway has issued an audit report of Daviess County’s financial statements for the two years ended December 31st, 2020. McBride, Lock, and Associates performed the audit. There were recommendations in the contracted audit of Daviess County. One involved the prosecuting attorney’s office implementing internal controls to ensure the timely collection of restitution […]
Prosecutor asks Missouri governor to ignore AG’s demand to be removed from Agape case
(Missouri Independent) – The county prosecutor who Attorney General Eric Schmitt said “does not intend to seek justice” for victims of alleged abuse and neglect at a southwestern Missouri boarding school urged Gov. Mike Parson to not remove Schmitt’s office from assisting in the case. In a letter sent Tuesday, Cedar County Prosecuting Attorney Ty […]
Trenton woman receives probation at court appearance
A Trenton woman received a jail sentence, then was placed on probation during an appearance Tuesday in the Associate Division of Grundy County Circuit Court. Sarah Harding admitted violating the terms of her initial probation on an original charge of receiving stolen property from August 7, 2020. The associate court judge revoked a previously issued […]
Prosecutor files felony charges against five Agape staffers accused of abuse
(Missouri Independent) – Cedar County Prosecuting Attorney Ty Gaither announced Tuesday that five staffers members of Agape Boarding School will be charged with a combined 13 counts of third-degree felony assault — a fraction of what Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt recommended. In March, Missouri Gov. Mike Parson directed the attorney general’s office to assist Gaither […]
Missouri State Auditor gives McDonald County a rating of “Good” in latest audit
State Auditor Nicole Galloway released today her regularly scheduled audit of McDonald County, located in southwest Missouri. The audit report, which makes several recommendations to improve the efficiency of county government, gave a rating of “good.” A prior audit of McDonald County, issued in September 2016, issued an overall rating of “fair.” “My audit identified several areas for […]
Lawsuit filed by lobbyist accuses MOSERS of violating Missouri Sunshine Law
(Missouri Independent) – A new lawsuit will test whether public agencies can hide how much they are paying attorneys and determine how far they must go in searching for records sought under the Missouri Sunshine Law. The lawsuit, filed Sept. 10 in Jefferson City by lobbyist John Gaskin of Flotron McIntosh, accuses the Missouri State Employees […]
Mercer County Sheriff responds to altercation at rural intersection
On Sunday morning, the Mercer County Sheriff’s Department and Mercer County Ambulance district responded to the intersection of Routes E and J for a physical altercation involving several individuals. Upon arrival, several interviews were conducted. One individual requested medical treatment and was treated on the scene. The Mercer County Sheriff says a report will be […]
Former Chillicothe resident sentenced to 20 years in prison on child pornography charges
Sentencing has been held for an Independence man on two counts of possession of child pornography in 2018. 33-year-old Zachary Ryan Kerns was sentenced in Daviess County Circuit Court to serve 20 years with the Missouri Department of Corrections. The sentence was listed as 10 years on each count with the terms served consecutively. Circuit […]
Oregon County receives rating of “good” from Missouri State Auditor
State Auditor Nicole Galloway issued an audit of Oregon County, located in south-central Missouri. The report, which made recommendations to improve the efficiency of several county offices, gave a rating of “good.” “By implementing the recommendations of an audit, local governments can be more efficient and effective with taxpayer dollars,” Auditor Galloway said. “I encourage […]
Shooting overnight in Mercer County sends man to hospital via helicopter
The Mercer County Sheriff’s Department reports it received a 911 call Monday night, August 30, about a male individual who had been shot. The sheriff’s department and Mercer County Ambulance District responded to the scene, but that location was not identified by authorities. Upon arrival, the sheriff’s office discovered a male was suffering from a […]
Highway Patrol provides a summary of new laws related to public safety, transportation, watercraft, & protection of children
The abbreviated descriptions below are intended to make the public aware of some of the new legislation enacted by the Missouri General Assembly, which is related to crime and motor vehicles. The listed legislation has been signed into law. Unless otherwise noted, these laws will go into effect on August 28, 2021. SB 26 PROVISIONS […]