Violent Crime

Fort Scott man sentenced for 2004 murder (05/03/08)
By Michael Glover Herald-Tribune Starr Marshall wore an oval-shaped picture of Karl "Rex" Schenker on her jacket. So did Kay Werling and Chad Schenker. And so did about a dozen relatives of Rex Schenker, the victim of a 2004 murder. Kohlby Freeze pleaded guilty to the murder last year...

Officials recommend revoking probation (05/01/08)
Sixth Judicial District Community Services program officials have recommended that an 18 year-old Bourbon County man serve 28 days in jail and have his probation revoked for violating terms and conditions of his probation, according to court records...

Program to help youngsters become safer (05/01/08)
An upcoming educational program will soon give local youngsters the chance to become safer, healthier and more productive citizens. The 13th Annual Kids Day America/International, a health, safety and environmental awareness day designed to benefit children and their families, will take place in thousands of cities worldwide at the same time on the same day. ...

Monday police sting results in eight arrests (04/29/08)

Two arrested in Fort Scott Police raid (04/24/08)
Fort Scott Police, Wednesday, arrested two people in suspicion of drug-related offenses. At 9 a.m., officers served a narcotics search warrant at 521 Pyle St., and arrested Donald L. Sprague,32, and Kelly L. Black,43. Sprague and Black were arrested in connection with possession of methampethamine, drug paraphernalia, and possession of drugs with intent to deliver. As of press time ,Wednesday night, they were being held at the Southeast Kansas Regional Correctional Center...

Fort Scott woman sentenced to five years in molestation case (04/23/08)
Kerri Cassett received a five year sentence to be served in a state prison Monday for the molestation of an 11 year old at her house last year. The victim was reportedly a friend of Cassett's son. Bourbon County District Judge Mark Ward sentenced Cassett,31, to the 61 month sentence on one count of felony aggravated indecent liberties with a child. It was the maximum sentence the judge could impose on Cassett...

Bourbon County man receives max sentence for sex crime (04/22/08)
Nathan E. Goodwin was sentenced Monday to 11 years in prison for sexually assaulting a 15 year old girl. Bourbon County District Judge Mark Ward handed down the maximum or "aggravated" sentence on Goodwin on two counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child, severity level three felonies. Ward sentenced him to 71 months on the first count and 61 months on the second. The sentences will be served consecutively or back to back...

Man shot in rural Vernon County home is identified (03/22/08)
Nevada, Mo. -- The Vernon County Sheriff's Office has released the name of a man who was fatally shot in eastern Vernon County Wednesday night, in a mobile home near the small town of Dederick. Jimmy Duncan, 47, Neosho, was shot once in the right side of his chest and once in the left abdomen after a reported argument grew out of control. Alcohol is believed to have provoked the fight between himself and the shooter, according to the Vernon County Sheriff's Office...