Thursday, October 13, 2005

Meerwald hearing doesn't accomplish much

The lack of a transcript delayed action in drunk driver Edward Meerwald's attempt to have his involuntary manslaughter conviction overturned. According to McDonald County Circuit Court records, the attorneys will contact the court when the document arrives and they are ready to proceed. The aborted hearing was held Oct. 4.
Meerwald, the drunk driver whose vehicle left the road and killed James Dodson, 68, Neosho, and his eight-year-old granddaughter Jessica Mann, Joplin, was sentenced to 14 years in prison after pleading guilty March 11 in McDonald County Circuit Court, where the case was moved on a change of venue from Newton County. Meerwald now claims he only pleaded guilty because he was told if he didn't, he would have armed criminal action charges filed against him.
Taxpayers will pay for Meerwald's attempt to get out of his prison sentence. Anne R. Wells, Neosho, has been appointed to serve as a public defender for Meerwald, according to court records

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