Hearing set for former Joplin R-8 Board member's DWI case

A pre-trial conference has been scheduled in Newton County Circuit Court for 10 a.m. June 11 for former Joplin R-8 Board of Education member Phil Willcoxon, who faces charges of driving while intoxicated and speeding.

Online court record indicate Willcoxon has hired Neosho attorney Charles Rhoades, who has filed a motion to dismiss, and a request for a bill of particulars, or a more detailed version of the charges.

The Missouri Highway Patrol arrested Willcoxon, 47, CEO of the Ozark Center in Joplin and former CEO of Freeman Neosho Hospital, at 9:50 p.m. Friday, February 14 on Coyote Road.

The citation indicated that Willcoxon exceeded the blood alcohol content, though it does not say by how much.

Willcoxon served two three-year terms on the Board of Education, first being elected in April 2008. He did not choose to seek a third term and left the board in April.