BUTLER COUNTY CORONER SAYS HE HAS ASKED FOR GRAND JURY TO BE CONVENED IN CONNECTION TO DEATH OF HEAVENLY HAFFORDButler County Coroner Jim Akers tells KWOC news that he has asked the Butler County Prosecuting Attorney to convene a Grand Jury in connection to the death of 13 year old Heavenly Hafford last December.
Akers says that Hafford was hit by two separate vehicles during the incident:
JIM AKERS GRAND JURY 1:
On December 9th at about 7 p.m. my office was notified of a hit-and-run accident on PP Highway near Maud intersection. We learned that a 13 year old girl had been hit by two separate vehicles. Both drivers left the scene and the girl was pronounced by EMS at the scene. Through the course of this investigation by the Poplar Bluff city police and Missouri State Highway Patrol, the evening of the accident Mr. Sparks was located, along with his vehicle, and it was determined from evidence left at the scene and through their investigation that he was the operator and the owner of the first vehicle involved. Through the course of the investigation, about 10 days later they were able to determine that the owner of the second vehicle Mr. Ben Ressel and his vehicle were involved as a second vehicle in the case, and they were able to provide enough information to get probable cause statements and felt that there was enough probable cause for criminal charges of leaving the scene of an accident.
Akers says that he has asked Butler County Prosecuting Attorney Kevin Barbour to convene a Grand Jury in connection to the investigation.
JIM AKERS GRAND JURY 2:
I have no decision-making process in prosecuting; however I am aware that a grand jury, like a Coroner's jury, can listen to facts. They would listen to the evidence and look at the Missouri laws and determine if there was enough evidence to formally charge Mr. Ressel with felony leaving the scene.
KWOC News contacted Barbour’s office; however his office has not responded as of this morning.
WOMAN WHO WAS SET ON FIRE BY HER EX-BOYFRIEND HAS PASSED AWAY Updating a story we brought to you last week, a Blytheville woman who was allegedly set on fire by her ex-boyfriend has died.
According to the Blytheville Police Department, 37 year old Martha George received significant burn injuries as the result of the alleged domestic incident on June 19th. Officials say that George passed away Friday afternoon from her injuries.
Police have arrested 24 year old Kordarro Woodard, also of Blytheville, on a charge of attempted murder. The Police Department says the charges against Woodard are being reviewed.
BOIL WATER ADVISORY ISSUED FOR PARTS OF STODDARD COUNTY A Boil Water advisory was issued for parts of Stoddard County over the weekend.
Water Operator Joe Pulliam tells KWOC News that Public Water District Number Three in Stoddard County is under the advisory due to a water main break.
Pulliam says the advisory in effect until further notice.
NAYLOR WOMAN SERIOUSLY INJURED IN HEAD ON COLLISION Two people were injured, one seriously, following a two vehicle wreck Saturday in Ripley County.
According to the authorities, the collision occurred on US 160 near Fairdealing. A vehicle driven by 47 year old Carla Wiley, of Naylor, reportedly began skidding, crossed the center line, and struck another vehicle head on.
Wiley received serious injuries in the wreck and was taken by ambulance to Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. The driver of the second vehicle suffered minor injuries.
TWO POPLAR BLUFF MEN ARRESTED ON FELONY CHARGES OF RECEIVING STOLEN PROPERTY Two Poplar Bluff men are facing multiple charges in connection with their arrest over the weekend.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 36 year old Tommy Green and 35 year old Lester Knox, were each arrested at around 9:45 pm Saturday night on charges of receiving stolen property, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Knox is also facing charges of possession of a controlled substance – methamphetamine and driving while suspended. Officials did not release if the two arrests were connected to each other.
AREA WOMAN FACING METH AND PARAPHERNALIA CHARGES Authorities have arrested an area woman in Wayne County on multiple felony charges.
According to the Highway Patrol, 34 year old Leslie Dering is facing felony charges of possession of a controlled substance – methamphetamine and unlawful use of drug paraphernalia following her arrest Saturday night.
The Highway Patrol says that Dering also had a misdemeanor warrant from the Poplar Bluff Police Department.
MATTHEWS MAN ARRESTED ON BURGLARY WARRANT IN STODDARD COUNTY A Matthews man has been taken into custody on a burglary warrant.
According to the Stoddard County Sheriff’s Department, 29 year old Curtis Jerome Burleson Jr. was recently arrested on a warrant for 1st degree burglary and a probation violation.
Officials say the burglary warrant had a $10,000 cash bond.
