AP: Church shooter was jealous of murdered pastor

Christopher Leonard of Associated Press has an absorbing story on the relationship between murdered pastor Kernal Rehobson and the man charged with pulling the trigger, Eiken Elam Saimon:

When Eiken Elam Saimon opened fire inside a church here Sunday, Rehobson was the first to die, witnesses said. The son of Saimon's cousin, Rehobson was acquainted with Saimon and over the years referred to the older man as "poppa" and "uncle" to show respect, said Lou Rehobson-Manuel, his sister.

Both men arrived here nearly 20 years ago from Micronesia, seeking a better life, but it was Rehobson who gained influence in Neosho's tightly knit community of hundreds of Micronesian immigrants.

"I think Saimon was jealous," Rehobson-Manuel said. "He wasn't a leader; he didn't do a lot. He likes to party, and Kernal is the opposite."

Authorities said Saimon entered the church with two handguns, killing three men and wounding four other people. As he approached the congregation of roughly 50 fellow immigrants, witnesses said, he cursed the men as liars and accused them of attacking his reputation behind his back.

Although relatives said the congregation was unaware of it, Saimon's standing in the community was in jeopardy even before the shooting. A 14-year-old female relative told police just hours earlier that Saimon had sexually assaulted her.

"In the (Micronesian) custom, it is low, low" to be accused of such a crime, said Atryino Dolon, who first met Saimon in 1989. "I don't think he would be welcome anywhere."

Globe and Daily: Victims' families offer emotional testimony at Neosho church shooter's sentencing

A bulletin or two a little earlier in the day would have been nice, but the Joplin Globe and Neosho Daily News have posted their versions of this morning's sentencing hearing for murderer Eiken Elam Saimon.

The Globe offered one of its abbreviated versions (as if someone is going to spend extra money on the print edition Saturday) but included a portion of the victim impact statements of Pastor Kernal Rehobson's wife and son:

Lovihna Rehobson had even stronger words for Saimon, who received three life sentences without parole, plus additional prison time, at the hearing. She reminded him how her husband had helped him, with food and money and in other ways since coming to the U.S.. Yet, Saimon had shot her husband in the face when he tried to approach and calm the armed intruder at the church service, she said.

“You are going to be rotting in hell,” she told Saimon. “You are going to rot in jail.”

The Daily buried the testimony at the end of the story, with John Ford opening the article with information that had already been made available to the public long ago through the Globe and KSN.

One way, Ford could have jumped on the other outlets would have been by moving Saimon's chilling statements regarding his reasoning for the murders to the opening paragraphs:

I had one of them explain to me that in their culture, they don’t have the death penalty as a possibility,” Skouby said. “They will get finalization in this plea, as the Supreme Court will not overturn it down the road. And he understands that it is in his best interest to take this plea today.”
In both written and oral statements presented to the court, Saimon said the shooting incident was as a result of embarrassment he suffered at a barbecue days before the shooting. He said he didn’t bring any food to the event, and his relatives gave him a hard time about it, saying he was stealing food for his children.

“That made me really mad,” he said in a written statement known as a defendant’s factual basis for a plea of guilty. “I went home and thought about how they were all talking bad about me and how much I helped all of them when they first came to the U.S. I knew they would all be at church on Sunday afternoon.”

I would have used that for the lead, taken a more feature-oriented approach, taking Neosho back to that horrible day and included the basics of Saimon's plea agreement in a textbox.

The feature approach would have reminded readers that it was the Neosho Daily News that owned this story from the outset, using blanket coverage, combined with solid footleather reporting, and strong writing. Instead, the story on the hearing, if that is the end of the Daily's coverage, sounded a weak note.

Documents: Neosho church shooter raped girl because she took his car

Associated Press has filed a story on the sex charges filed Tuesday against alleged Neosho church shooter Eiken Elam Saimon. Saimon is charged with three counts of murder, four counts of assault, and single charges of armed criminal action and felonious restraint in connection with the Aug. 14 attack at the First Congregational Church of Neosho:

In court papers, a Sheriff's Department investigator said the teenage girl alleged that Saimon was mad at her for stealing his car and wrecking it. The girl said Saimon attacked her as punishment. Advertisement

The alleged assault happened at Saimon's home two days before the church shooting.

Prosecutors have declined to discuss Saimon's motive in the shooting, but relatives of the victims have said Saimon was jealous of their standing in the community and feared he might be outcast after the teen made the rape allegation.

Sentencing brings close to Neosho church shooting case

(The following is my column for this week's Newton County News.)

I am not sure I have ever seen anything quite like it on local television.
After watching the NCAA basketball games Friday night, I left the TV on KOAM as the late news began. The big news story was the guilty plea entered by Eiken Elam Saimon, the man who brought two loaded handguns into the First Congregational Church of Neosho Sunday, Aug. 12, 2007, and opened fire, killing church leaders and wounding others in the congregation.
Saimon pleaded guilty so prosecutors would take the death penalty off the table. He will spend the rest of his life in prison without possibility of parole.
All of that had been reported in the area newspapers and on television for most of the week. What newspapers could not convey, no matter who skilled the reporters, was the raw emotion coursing through the victim statements, primarily from the wife and son of one of Saimon’s victims, the church’s pastor, Kernal Rehobson.
With Rehobson’s son, it was a quieter rage, but the fierce, impassioned testimony or the widow, Lohvina Rehobson, was like nothing I can remember seeing on the local news before.
Though it does not pack the same punch as the televised testimony, this is what the Joplin Globe wrote about what Mrs. Rehobson said:
“Lovihna Rehobson had even stronger words for Saimon, who received three life sentences without parole, plus additional prison time, at the hearing. She reminded him how her husband had helped him, with food and money and in other ways since coming to the U.S.. Yet, Saimon had shot her husband in the face when he tried to approach and calm the armed intruder at the church service, she said.

“ ‘You are going to be rotting in hell,’ she told Saimon. ‘You are going to rot in jail.’ ”
Even in print, her words are powerful, but the sheer rage and passion of her statements could only be caught on television.
Even with the top of the newscast testimony on KOAM and the other local stations, the coverage in March 2009 was a far cry from what we saw nearly two years ago.
The news that a man had murdered three people and held a congregration hostage at a church, a place that we think of as a refuge from the evils that beset the outside world, stunned Neosho and the rest of southwest Missouri Aug. 12, 2007.
This was the kind of thing that happens somewhere else. This is what happens in the inner cities, or in Littleton, Colorado, or Jonesboro, Ark. This does not happen in Neosho. This does not happen in Newton County, Missouri.
For a brief time, the nation’s eyes were focused on Neosho. The hearing Friday received nowhere near the same attention. The local media covered it, but there was no CNN or New York Times or even Kansas City Star or St. Louis Post-Dispatch. If people across the nation wanted to follow up on the Neosho church shootings, they had to do it through stories sent out over the Associated Press wire.
Thankfully, we still live in a country where such a horrible occurrence is considered newsworthy, and not somewhere like Iraq where death and destruction is a daily fact of life and almost not worth mentioning in news reports.

Post-Dispatch: Rehobson lived for a half hour after shooting

Reporter David Hunn in an article on the St. Louis Post-Dispatch website offers a chilling retelling of Sunday's murder of Pastor Kernal Rehobson and two church elders during a service at the First Congregational Church in Neosho:

Sunday, well into the 1 p.m. church service, authorities and witnesses said he walked into First Congregational, filled with about 50 worshippers.

He told schoolteachers to take the children out of the sanctuary.

Then he pulled a semi-automatic Intratec 9-mm pistol out of his clothing, and, with a .22-caliber revolver in his other hand, fired rounds into the ceiling, according to police and witnesses. Until that moment, no one thought he'd actually fire, several said.

He began yelling at the worshippers, witnesses said, asking them why they were all talking about him, and why they kept criticizing him. Witnesses said he was cussing, and not always making sense.

A few started to answer. One, a relative of both the gunman and the sexual assault victim who asked not to be identified, asked forgiveness.

Then Kernel Rehobson spoke up, said the witness.

Saimon leveled the Intratec.

The burst lifted the pastor off the floor and threw him down face first, the witness said.

From that point, few in the church remember exactly what happened, several witnesses and family members said. More shots were fired and two more people were killed. So many were injured, witnesses couldn't keep track. Sometimes, they said, Saimon's finger shook; maybe the gun jammed, maybe he had second thoughts in those moments, witnesses weren't sure.

For about a half-hour, the relative of the gunman and sexual assault victim said, Kernel Rehobson kept breathing.

Someone called police at 2 p.m. About 2:20, a combined force of Missouri Highway Patrol, Keosho police and Newton County sheriff's deputies had arrived and heard a shot fired from inside the church, authorities said.

They sent a team in.

Racing up the stairs from the basement, the team found Eiken Saimon holding a gun against a woman, authorities said. The other 20-30 hostages had been gathered around him, almost to serve as shields.

Police trained their guns on Saimon.

Just before Saimon put down his guns, witnesses said, the little red lights from police scopes were beaming onto his forehead.

A link to Post-Dispatch photos from Neosho can be found on the same page as the story.

Life in prison for Neosho church killer

Eiken Elam Saimon, 55, will spend the rest of his life behind bars afted pleading guilty this morning in Newton County Circuit Court to three counts of first degree murder.

Saimon was sentenced to 30 years on each of four counts of assault and seven years on statutory rape and sodomy charges.

An armed criminal action charge against Saimon was dropped.

In exchange for Saimon's plea, the Newton County prosecuting attorney's office took the death penalty off the table.

Saimon took a gun into the First Congregational Church of Neosho Aug. 12, 2007, and murdered church leaders, including Pastor Kernal Rehobson, and injured others.

All previous Turner Report posts on the shooting can be found at this link.

Sept. 18 preliminary hearing scheduled for Saimon

A 9:30 a.m. Sept. 18 preliminary hearing has been scheduled for Eiken Elam Saimon, 52, Neosho, who is charged with three counts of murder and six other felonies in connection with Sunday's shooting at the First Congregational Church of Neosho during an afternoon service of a Micronesian church.
Saimon entered a not guilty plea during his arraignment this afternoon in Newton County Circuit Court. He was represented by public defender Sylvia K. Byrnes-Ales. Newton County Prosecutor Scott Watson represented the state.
Court records indicate the preliminary hearing could be delayed if some of the other people Saimon is accused of shooting are not able to testify at that point.

Those killed were senior pastor Kernal Rehobson, 43; church deacon Intenson Rehobson, 44; and church deacon Kuhpes "Jesse" Ikosia, 53.

Prosecutor files motion to deny bond for church shooter

Newton County Prosecutor Scott Watson wants to make certain Eiken Elam Saimon, the man accused of killing three people at the First Congregational Church in Neosho Sunday, stays behind bars.
Watson filed a motion today asking that bond be denied for Saimon, or if the judge won't agree to that, that it be raised from its current $1 million.
Saimon was arrested Sunday after he interrupted afternoon services of the Micronesian congregation that had been using the church, shooting Pastor Kernal Rehobson and two church deacons.
A hearing is scheduled for 1:15 p.m, Tuesday, Aug. 28, with Saimon's preliminary hearing set for 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 18.

Sex charges filed against Neosho church shooter

The Newton County Prosecuting Attorney's office filed statutory rape and sodomy charges against Eiken Elam Saimon, the man charged with murdering three Micronesian church leaders during an afternoon service at the First Congregational Church of Neosho.
The crimes, which involved a 14-year-old girl, allegedly took place two days before the shooting, according to Newton County Circuit Court records.
A bond hearing for Saimon, originally scheduled for today, was not held. Judge Greg Stremel upheld the prosecuting attorney's motion to continue holding Saimon without bond until a hearing can be conducted.
Saimon's preliminary hearing on three counts of murder, four counts of assault, and one count each of armed criminal action and felonious restraint, is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Sept. 18.

Chief: Church shooter's weapons were legal

The weapons used by accused killer Eiken Elam Saimon during the triple murders at the First Congregational Church in Neosho were legal, according to Neosho Police Chief David McCracken:

McCracken said four or five weapons were found in Saimon's rural home. The gunman had two weapons with him in the First Congregational Church, 1 of them a 9 millimeter semiautomatic pistol.

The chief said all of Saimon's weapons were legally permitted in the county and were purchased legally.

He said Saimon had no criminal history in the area, expect for a handful of public intoxication arrests.

Continuance granted for accused Micronesian church killer

Judge Tim Perigo granted a continuance today to allow the new attorneys for Eiken Elam Saimon to have more time to prepare their case.
Saimon is charged with three counts of first degree murder, five counts of assault, and one count of felonious restraint in connection with the Aug. 12 murders at the First Congregational Church in Neosho. The murders were committed during an afternoon worship service of a Micronesian church. Saimon's trial had been scheduled for Oct. 29.
A new trial date will be set during a 1:30 p.m. July 14 hearing, according to court records.

Defense lawyers ask for continuance in church shooting case

The public defenders representing accused killer Eikan Elam Saimon have asked for a continuance. Saimon, 53, Neosho, is charged with three counts of first degree murder, four counts of assault, and single counts of felonious restraint and armed criminal action in connection with the Aug. 12 shooting rampage during an afternoon Micronesian service at the First Congregational Church of Neosho. The murder victims were Pastor Kernal Rehobson and church deacons.

His trial is scheduled to begin June 23.

The motion was filed Friday by public defender Sharon Turlington, a specialist in death penalty cases who was added to Saimon's defense team last week, along with Cynthia Dryden, an attorney who has handled many cases involving DNA evidence.

DNA specialist takes over defense of accused killer in Micronesian church slayings

Cynthia Ann Dryden, an assistant public defender who has a reputation as a specialist in cases involving DNA, is the new lawyer of record for Eikan Elam Saimon.

Saimon, 53, Neosho, is charged with three counts of first degree murder, four counts of assault, and single counts of felonious restraint and armed criminal action in connection with the Aug. 12 shooting rampage during an afternoon Micronesian service at the First Congregational Church of Neosho. The murder victims were Pastor Kernal Rehobson and church deacons. Ms. Dryden normally handles cases in the eastern part of the state.

Saimon's trial is scheduled to begin Monday, June 23, in Newton County Circuit Court. A Greene County jury will be brought to Newton County to hear the case.

Church shooter pleading guilty

If all went according to plan, church shooter Eiken Elam Saimon, 55, Neosho, is changing his plea and pleading guilty at this very moment to three counts of first degree murder and four counts of first degree assault.

In exchange for the plea, Saimon will be sentenced to life in prison without possibility of parole. The plea will prevent him from facing the death penalty.

The Joplin Globe had the scoop on the plea arrangment online Thursday.

Saimon entered the First Congregational Church of Neosho Sunday, Aug. 12, 2007, and killed leaders of a Micronesian church, which was holding services in the building, including Pastor Kernal Rehobson.

More information to come.

Bond denied for church shooter

Eiken Elam Saimon will remain behind bars as he awaits trial.
According to Jeff Lehr's article just posted on the Joplin Globe website, Newton County Circuit Court Judge Greg Stremel granted Prosecuting Attorney Scott Watson's motion, pending a full hearing Aug. 28:

“I just felt if bond was made available to him and he could make that bond, his risk of flight would be substantial,” Prosecutor Scott Watson said.

Saimon, 52, is accused of walking into the First Congregational Church with a semiautomatic machine pistol and a .22-caliber handgun, and opening fire during a Sunday service for Micronesian members of the church. Saimon is a native of the Micronesian island of Pohnpei.

Killed were a Micronesian-American pastor, Kernal Rehobson, 43; his uncle, Intenson Rehobson, 44; and Kuhpes Jesse Ikosia, 53. All three men were church leaders. Four other church members were wounded in the rampage.

Pre-trial conference set for accused church shooter on sex charges

A 9 a.m. Sept. 4 pre-trial conference has been scheduled for the sex charges against accused church shooter Eiken Elam Saimon.
Saimon, 52, pleaded not guilty today in Newton County Circuit Court to charges of statutory rape and statutory sodomy in connection with an Aug. 10 incident involving a 14-year-old relative.
A Sept. 18 preliminary hearing is scheduled for Saimon on three counts of murder, four counts of assault and single counts of armed criminal action and felonious restraint, charges which were filed in connection with the Aug. 12 shootings at the First Congregational Church of Neosho.

CNN: Killer yelled "liars" before opening fire

The man charged with murdering three people, including the pastor, in a Micronesian congregation holding Sunday afternoon services at the First Congregational Church of Neosho yelled "Liars" before opening fire, according to a report posted on CNN;


Police said Eiken Elam Saimon shouted "liars, liars, you're all liars" before opening fire with a semiautomatic machine pistol commonly known as a Tech-9, Police Chief David McCracken said.

When police arrived, Saimon had surrounded himself with 30 to 40 hostages in the sanctuary and "he was holding a female hostage at gunpoint," the chief said.

Five people were wounded in the Sunday afternoon attack at the church in Neosho, about 120 miles northeast of Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Saimon had been listed as a possible suspect in the assault of a 14-year-old girl that was reported Saturday evening, Newton County Sheriff Ken Copeland said.

Oct. 29 pre-trial conference set for accused church shooter

A 2 p.m. Oct. 29 pre-trial conference has been scheduled for Eikan Elam Saimon, who faces three counts of murder in the first degree in connection with the Aug. 12 shooting at the First Congregational Church of Neosho.

Saimon entered a not guilty plea during his arraignment today in Newton County Circuit Court. Saimon is also charged with six other felonies in connection with the shootings, which happened during an afternoon worship service of a Micronesian congregation.

Those killed were senior pastor Kernal Rehobson, 43; church deacon Intenson Rehobson, 44; and church deacon Kuhpes "Jesse" Ikosia, 53.

Change of venue hearing delayed in church shooting case

A decision on a change of venue for accused killer Eikan Elam Saimon, originally scheduled to be made during a pre-trial conference today in Newton County Circuit Court, has been delayed until 2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 19.
Saimon is charged with three counts of first degree murder and nine other felony charges in connection with the Aug. 12 shooting spree at the First Congregational Church in Neosho. The shootings took place during an afternoon worship service of a Micronesian congregation. The three murder victims were the church's pastor and two deacons.
Saimon's trial is scheduled for June 23, 2008.

July 2009 trial set for accused Micronesian church killer

Jury selection for the capital murder trial of Eiken Elam Saimon will begin July 13, 2009, according to information filed Friday in Newton County Circuit Court.

Saimon, 54, Neosho, is charged with three counts of first degree murder, four counts of assault, and single counts of felonious restraint and armed criminal action in connection with the Aug. 12, 2007, shootings during a Micronesian congregation's services at the First Congregational Church of Neosho.

The murder victims were three church leaders, including pastor Kernal Rehobson.