Seneca man bound over for trial for robbery that ended with Carl Junction man's murder

Paul D. Phillips was bound over for trial on robbery, armed criminal action, tampering with a motor vehicle, unlawful possession of a firearm and unlawful use of a firearm following a preliminary hearing Thursday in Jasper County Circuit Court.

Phillips, 36, will be arraigned in the trial court 9 a.m. May 13.

Phillips was allegedly working in concert with Scott B. Burleson, who is charged with second degree murder, armed robbery and two counts of armed criminal action in connection with the March 3 stabbing death of Seth R. Langford, 36, Carl Junction.

Phillips' alleged role in the events of March 2 was detailed in the probable cause statement:

On March 2nd, 2024 Jasper County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to an address on State Line Ave. in the County of Jasper and State ofMissouri, where a stabbing had occurred.

VI (Victim 1) was taken to the hospital where emergency surgery was conducted. While working the scene of the crime, fresh blood was located in the trailer home in the hallway that would be consistent with a stabbing. Paul was seen on video footage leaving in his silver 2006 Chevrolet Silverado truck with two other occupants including suspect #2 (Burleson).

During the investigation, Paul was identified on security footage at the incident location and named by witnesses as being there with suspect #2. It was also reported that Paul was in possession of a firearm and had pointed it at witnesses and victims. 

 On March 6, 2024 a report of a white Mercades that Paul had been suspected of driving had fled from law enforcement. lt was recovered at an address on Malang Rd. in Jasper County, MO. The vehicle was found to be stolen out of Newton County, MO, but was unoccupied. 

A firearm was found in the driver side door of the stolen Mercedes. Paul was located in a nearby residence. After Miranda rights (also known as Constitutional rights) were read, Paul admitted to being at the house when VI was stabbed multiple times ultimately causing his death a day later. 

While VI was stabbed, Paul admitted to pulling out a pistol and waving it around after victim #1 was stabbed. Suspect #2 then robbed the residence owner of $7 in cash and an ounce of marijuana. 

Paul admitted to fleeing from law enforcement in the stolen Mercedes, admitted the found pistol in the Mercedes was the one in his possession during the stabbing of VI. Paul stated that he held the pistol while suspect #2 threatened Witness 1 into giving him 1ounce of marijuana and $7 in cash. He further stated that he collected the cell phones of the involved individuals and burnt them in Oklahoma.

Missouri House narrowly sends private-school tax credit, charter expansion to governor’s desk

 

By Annelise Hanshaw

Missouri Independent

A massive education bill that expands a private school scholarship program and opens up Boone County to charter schools squeaked out of the Missouri House and to the governor’s desk on Thursday, winning the bare minimum number of votes needed for passage.

The 153-page bill, sponsored by Republican state Sen. Andrew Koenig of Manchester, is estimated to cost taxpayers $468 million when fully implemented. It passed 82-69 and heads to Gov. Mike Parson. Three Democrats joined with 79 Republicans in support of the bill, with 45 Democrats and 24 Republicans voting against.

 

State Rep. Phil Christofanelli, a St. Peters Republican, carried the Senate bill and sponsored the legislation in 2021 that created the tax-credit scholarships, called MOScholars.

He said during Thursday’s debate that the bill combines his interest in the MOScholars program with investment in rural schools.

“We put together a package that serves all the diverse interests in education,” Christofanelli said.

The original bill was 12 pages, but negotiations in the Senate led to the inclusion of over a hundred pages of education legislation.

“We’re all going to take a step together,” Christofanelli said Thursday. “This is the most substantive investment in public education that this state has ever seen.”

Lawmakers filed 53 amendments prior to the vote, but none were allowed by GOP leadership to offer them for consideration.

Rep. Paula Brown, a Democrat from Hazelwood, said during debate that the Senate was controlling the process.

“This is an esteemed chamber, and we’re acting like we don’t matter,” she said.

Christofanelli said the Senate had listened to concerns, and amendments were made to another bill Wednesday to smooth over issues with the larger package.

“My concern was that if I did those changes on this bill and sent it back into the Senate, it would get caught in the abyss and we would never have a law at the end,” he said.

He gathered input from key lawmakers, and delivered suggestions to the Senate. Then, Wednesday evening, the Senate introduced and passed a new version of Christofanelli’s bill on full-time virtual schools.

The House passed this second bill, with the fixes, after approving the larger education package.

Although the bill has measures to boost teacher salaries and school-district funding, Democrats had concerns. Many focused on the estimated cost.

“This is a bill that has some great, shiny things that we like in exchange for some really bad (things),” said House Minority Leader Crystal Quade, a Springfield Democrat. “But as we’ve talked about, the real problem with this bill is the amount of money we have.”

Democrats from Boone County also spoke against the addition of charter schools in their community.

State Rep. David Tyson Smith, a Democrat from Columbia, called the bill “poison” to Boone County.

“Our schools are accredited. We don’t need this bill,” he said. “We are hanging on by a razor’s edge financially already. You bring charter schools into Boone County, which is what this bill specifically does, and it hurts us.”

As the final votes rolled in and the bill’s passage was assured, Koenig sat on the House dais, smiling as the bill he has called his top legislative priority made it across the finish line.

Challengers outraise incumbents in Missouri races for Senate, 1st Congressional District

By Rudi Keller

Missouri Independent

With one seat in Congress up for grabs, an incumbent facing a serious challenge and a former publisher and media personality taking on a long-time officeholder, this year’s federal elections in Missouri promise an interesting summer and fall.

Add to that the U.S. Senate race, where both likely fall contenders have more money already than almost every other candidate running statewide.







In the 3rd Congressional District, where Republican incumbent U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer is not seeking re-election, and the 1st District, where Democratic incumbent U.S. Rep. Cori Bush is being challenged by St. Louis County Prosecutor Wesley Bell, the key battle will be the Aug. 6 primary.

Both districts were drawn by lawmakers to be safe seats for the party in power.

In the 2nd Congressional District, solidly Republican rural counties were added by lawmakers to shore up the GOP’s chances to keep it. Republican U.S. Rep. Ann Wagner and Democratic candidate Ray Hartmann, founder of the Riverfront Times, are the likely nominees for a fall match-up.

In the Senate race, Lucas Kunce, who lost a 2022 Democratic primary in the contest ultimately won by Republican Eric Schmitt, is hoping to unseat U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley, a Republican hoping to secure a second term.

Campaign disclosure reports that were due Monday at the Federal Election Commission are the first indication of which contenders are ready to run full-scale campaigns. And for Hawley and Bush, their challengers managed to outraise them in the first quarter of the year. Hawley’s campaign committee took in $1.9 million between January and April, about $600,000 more than his expenses and leaving his cash on hand on March 31 to $5.4 million. Kunce’s campaign raised $2.3 million, spent $1.2 million and reported $3.3 million in the bank.

More than $1 million of the amount reported by Hawley’s campaign was a transfer from the Hawley Victory Committee, a joint fundraising PAC that raised a total of $1.5 million in the quarter.

In a news release about his fundraising, Kunce said he feels momentum behind his campaign because he has regularly raised more than Hawley over the past year.

“Since last year, we’ve built a worker-led, people-powered, record-breaking coalition to win this race and take this U.S. Senate back for everyday people in Missouri,” Kunce said in his release.

To get to the fall election, Kunce must defeat three primary opponents, including state Sen. Karla May of St. Louis, who reported raising $9,136 in the first quarter and $6,304 in the bank.

The other two primary candidates are December Harmon of Columbia and Mita Biswas of St. Louis. Harmon reported raising $344 in the quarter and had $1,969 on hand.

In the 1st District, which includes St. Louis and much of St. Louis County, Bell entered the race to unseat Bush after flirting with a bid for U.S. Senate. Bell, elected to his current post in 2018, raised $960,000 in the first quarter of the year, outpacing Bush and amassing a big lead in cash on hand.

Bush, who is seeking her third term, raised $495,000 in the quarter. She reported $215,000 in the bank, compared to $1.1 million for Bell.

Bush and Bell are both in office because of successful primary challenges to incumbents. Bell defeated long-time prosecutor Bob McCulloch in 2018, while Bush defeated U.S. Rep. Lacy Clay in the 2020 Democratic primary.

Bush easily defeated state Sen. Steve Roberts in the 2022 primary on her way to winning a second term.

The 3rd District, which runs through all or part of 16 counties from the Lake of the Ozarks to the Mississippi River, is the only Missouri congressional seat certain to change hands this year. There is an eight candidate GOP primary, but only three of the candidates – former state Sens. Bob Onder and Kurt Schaefer and state Rep. Justin Hicks – filed disclosure reports with the FEC.

That means the other candidates have raised minimal amounts and have no report due.

On the strength of a $500,000 personal donation, Onder has a big early fundraising lead. His campaign took in $700,000 during the quarter, spent $6,677 and reported $693,000 on hand.

Schaefer raised $118,000, spent $7,063 and reported $110,765.

Hicks, a first-term lawmaker, raised about $45,000, spent $3,462 and had $41,865 remaining at the end of the quarter.



Other candidates in the Republican primary are Arnie C. AC Arn Dienoff of O’Fallon, a perennial candidate; Chad Bicknell of O’Fallon, who lost a primary to Luetkemeyer in 2018; Kyle Bone of DeSoto, who lost a 2018 primary for a Missouri House seat; Brandon Wilkinson of Fenton, who lost to Luetkemeyer in the 2020 and 2022 GOP primaries; and Bruce A. Bowman, a Jefferson City businessman.

Two Democrats, Bethany Mann of Wentzville and Andrew Daly of Fulton have also filed, as has Libertarian Jordan Rowden of Vienna.

In the 2nd District, Hartmann entered the race in mid-March and raised $23,253 by the end of the month. After spending about $3,316, he had $19,937 on hand.

Wagner, who is seeking her seventh term, raised $428,000 and had $2.8 million in the bank at the end of the quarter.

Neosho man charged with molesting 10-year-old girl, illegally possessing guns

The Newton County Prosecuting Attorney charged a Neosho man today with child molestation and three counts of unlawful possession of a firearm.

Joseph Orba Taylor, 40, Neosho, was allegedly caught in the act of molesting a 10-year-old girl by a member of the girl's family who ordered him to leave the home.

According to the probable cause statement, Taylor had been reading to the child every night and was taking far too long to read one book. The family member walked in and saw Taylor molesting the child, the statement said.

The family member yelled at Taylor to leave.

{She} yelled at Joseph to leave, he then left in his 1990 GMC Sierra. Joseph left saying, "I will just take care of myself in a field while carrying a shotgun and two handguns.

When the Newton County Sheriff's Office located Taylor, he still had the weapons, according to the probable cause statement, and said he knew he shouldn't have them since he was a felon. 

Webb City woman sentenced to 20 years for role in kidnapping, torture that led to murder

(From the U. S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri)

A Webb City, Mo., woman was sentenced in federal court today for her role in a kidnapping conspiracy that resulted in the torture and death of the victim, and for illegally possessing a firearm.

Amy Kay Thomas, 40, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to 20 years in federal prison without parole.

On April 27, 2023, Thomas pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit kidnapping and to being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Thomas is the fourth defendant to be sentenced in this case. James B. Gibson, also known as “Gibby,” 41, of Neosho, Mo., was sentenced on Monday, April 15, to 30 years in federal prison without parole. Russell Eugene Hurtt, also known as “Uncle,” 52, of Greenwood, Mo., was sentenced on Tuesday, April 16, to seven years in federal prison without parole. Lawrence William Vaughan, also known as “Scary Larry,” 52, of Neosho, was sentenced on Nov. 7, 2013, to 25 years in federal prison without parole.

Two co-defendants have pleaded guilty and await sentencing in this case. Sentencing hearings have not yet been scheduled for Freddie Lewis Tilton, also known as “Ol’ Boy,” 51, and Carla Jo Ward, 50, both of Joplin, Mo.

Thomas admitted that she participated in a conspiracy to kidnap the victim, identified as “M.H.,” (Michael Hall) in July 2020. Tilton offered Ward and Vaughan $5,000 each to locate and secure M.H. for him. Ward picked up M.H., whom she knew was being sought by Tilton, and took him to Vaughan’s residence. Vaughan texted Tilton, stating “Call me quickly handing (M.H.) to you.” Vaughan and Tilton continued communicating throughout the early morning hours of July 15, 2020. Vaughan sent a text message to Tilton that read, “He’s got 2 guns.” A few hours later, Vaughan sent a text message to Tilton that read, “OK we’ve got both his guns put up,” and “Guns are secure I’m waiting for you.”

Tilton, Thomas, and Gibson arrived at Vaughan’s residence in the early morning hours of July 15, 2020. They bound M.H.’s hands with handcuffs, and duct tape was placed around his mouth and other parts of his body. Gibson, Thomas, and others assaulted M.H. for a period of time. M.H. was cut, beaten, and shot at. Gibson burned M.H. with a blowtorch. Tilton fatally shot M.H. in the head. Thomas and others cleaned up the blood and damage created during the assault and shooting of M.H. They wrapped M.H.’s body in plastic wrap and Thomas, Tilton, and Gibson transported it to Hurtt’s property.

Law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Hurtt’s property on July 28, 2020, based on information that a deceased body was located on the acreage. When officers attempted to contact the occupants of the residence, Tilton fired multiple shots from inside the residence at the officers. Tilton was apprehended.

Officers found M.H.’s body on the property. Officers searched the residence and found a Rigarmi .25-caliber pistol, an Ithaca .22-caliber rifle, a Remington .22-caliber rifle without a serial number, a Harrington and Richardson 12-gauge shotgun, a Ruger 9mm handgun, and a Taurus 9mm handgun without a serial number.








Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Thomas has two prior felony convictions for possession of a controlled substance and prior felony convictions for forgery, possession of ephedrine with the intent to manufacture methamphetamine, and distribution of a controlled substance.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ami Harshad Miller. It was investigated by the FBI, the Newton County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Neosho, Mo., Police Department, the Joplin, Mo., Police Department, the Ozark Drug Enforcement Team, and the Cherokee County, Kan., Sheriff’s Department.

Stacey Tracy promoted to Joplin R-8 Director of Special Education

(From Joplin Schools)

We are proud to announce the promotion of Stacey Tracy as Joplin Schools' next Director of Special Education.

Stacey has served as the interim director since January 2024. She has previously served as the Assistant Director of Special Education and a Process Coordinator in Joplin Schools. She also worked as a Special Education Teacher and department head, Assistant Principal, and Director of Special Education at Neosho School District.

 
An alumna of MSSU with a Bachelor of Elementary Education and Special Education, Stacey received a Master of Science in Secondary Administration from William Woods University in 2006, and an Educational Specialist degree in Administration and Superintendency from Southwest Baptist University in 2012.

Stacey has presented both nationally and at the state level on behalf of the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. She has also been a presenter at the International Conference on Autism, Intellectual Disability & Developmental Disabilities on behalf of the Council for Exceptional Children.

Carthage Council member: Constituents say Dagnan firing, Rife impeachment 'needed to happen for quite some time'

It didn't take long after a string of Carthage city employees spoke in favor of the possibly fired City Administrator Greg Dagnan (it depends on your definition of the word "and") and Mayor Dan Rife for council member Tiffany Cossey to move full speed ahead on Rife's impeachment.

After Rife noted that a bill to approve the contract of St. Louis area attorney Paul Martin to handle his impeachment needed to go through the budget committee since it would require a budget amendment and then would need to be voted on twice by the council, Cossey had a different idea.

All the council had to do is "suspend the rules," she said, noting that it is allowed under Rosenberg's Rules of Order.

"Why not throw out all the rules?" a man shouted from the audience, apparently a victim of the phenomenon known as Cossey and effect. 

Moments later, a Carthage police officer tapped on the man's shoulder and politely let him know there were a few rules that weren't going to be suspended.

Eventually, the decision was made to have both readings of the bill at the regular council meeting Tuesday night, with Rife making a promise that "I'm not going to slow anything down."

Despite the outpouring from an audience that clearly favored Rife and Dagnan and consisted mostly of city employees, Cossey and council member Alan Snow made it clear their constituents heavily favored the actions the council took last week when it voted 7-2 to remove Dagnan and moved forward with impeachment plans.

Snow said he talked with six people who were not happy with the way the council was handling things. After pausing for dramatic effect, he added that he had spoken to 50 people who were backing the council.

Cossey hadn't talked to as many people. She said only one person opposed her actions, while 20 "said this needed to happen for quite some time."

The meeting began with the reading of a letter signed by 69 city employees. A copy of the letter can be found at the link below:

The Turner Report: Carthage employee letters back Rife, Dagnan, accuse council of personal agenda involving former parks director (rturner229.blogspot.com)

In addition to a number of city employees speaking to support Dagnan, Bill Putnam, head of Carthage Citizens United, which backed the election of the new council members who provided the votes to fire the city administrator, addressed the council to note his organization did not make its endorsements with the idea of removing anyone.

The organization's only purpose, Putnam said, was to support "qualified candidates." He promised it will do so again in 2025.

 For more information, check out these previous Turner Report posts:

The Turner Report: Carthage City Council fires City Administrator Greg Dagnan, prepares to impeach mayor (rturner229.blogspot.com)

The Turner Report: What the hell has happened to city council meetings? (Are you listening, Carthage?) (rturner229.blogspot.com)

State auditor's investigation of Carthage finds City Charter violations, but no fraud or corruption

(Correction: The post originally said Dagnan's firing violated the city charter and code. The audit report found that it did not.)

An investigative report by the Missouri state auditor's office found no problems with the way Carthage city officials handled last year's removal of the Carthage Water and Electric Board (it was subsequently reinstated), or with the way Mayor Dan Rife scuttled a proposal to buy Precious Moments property.

The report also found that the original hiring of Greg Dagnan as assistant city administrator and later as city administrator did not violate the City Charter and Code.

In its conclusion the report said, "Our review of the above complaints found no indication of fraud or corruption."

The report said that potential instances of non-compliance with city charter and city code had been found, including Dagnan's hiring, that would be reviewed if taxpayers asked for a full audit.

The complete report is included with this post.

First court appearance scheduled for Neosho elementary counselor on statutory rape charge

The first court appearance for a Neosho South Elementary counselor charged with statutory rape is scheduled for 1 p.m. May 14 in Newton County Circuit Court, according to online records.

The Newton County Prosecuting Attorney's office charged Jacob Oakes, 40, Neosho, April 10 and a warrant was issued for his arrest. He turned himself in Thursday afternoon and was freed after posting a $5,000 code bond.

Oakes, a former high school counselor and choir teacher in the R-5 School District, allegedly had sex with a 14-year-old girl in 2021 and an other occasions, including as recently as last month.

The district placed him on paid administrative leave.

More information about the case can be found at the links below.

The Turner Report: Statutory rape charge filed against Neosho elementary school counselor (rturner229.blogspot.com)

The Turner Report: Neosho R-5 counselor placed on leave as investigation continues into possible crime involving children (rturner229.blogspot.com)

Neosho R-5 Board accepts resignations of four teachers, high school counselor, hires 20 teachers

During its meeting Monday, the Neosho R-5 Board of Education accepted the resignations of four teachers and a high school counselor and hired 20 teachers.

In addition to the four teachers who resigned, the board accepted the retirement of a grounds crew lead and resignations from a nurse and three paraprofessionals.

Resignations

Effective April 4, 2024

Susan Matthews - School Counselor - Neosho High School 

Effective May 17, 2024

Whitney Wise - School Nurse - Neosho Junior High

Effective May 31, 2024 - Retire

David Allen - Grounds Crew Lead - Operations

Effective June 30, 2024
Ashlyn Mueller - ECSE Paraprofessional - Field Early Childhood Center
Hanna Lett - 1st Grade Teacher - Carver Elementary
Jessica Walton - Physical Education Teacher - Neosho High School
Katy Green - SPED Paraprofessional - Benton Elementary
Richelle Washington - SPED Paraprofessional - Neosho Junior High
Karissa Sparlin - 1st Grade Teacher - Carver Elementary
Michael Gilreath - SPED Paraprofessional - Neosho Junior High
Jacquelyn Evans - SPED Teacher - South Elementary

Athletics
Harry Lineberry - Head Cross Country Coach - Neosho High School
Tony Arthur - Assistant Girls Basketball Coach - Neosho Junior High
Becca Sallee - Assistant Softball Coach - Neosho Junior High
Stephanie Stark - Archery Coach - Neosho Junior High
Jessica Walton - Head Volleyball Coach - Neosho High School
Richelle Washington - Assistant Cheer Coach - Neosho Junior High
Michael Gilreath - Assistant Baseball Coach - Neosho Junior High

Hirings

Effective March 27, 2024
Riley Meyer - 4th Grade Teacher - South Elementary

Effective April 11, 2024
Scotty Tanner - Groundskeeper - Operations

Effective April 15, 2024
Mellisa Finley - Building Custodian - Operations

Effective April 22, 2024
Jennifer Harp - CNA/SPED Paraprofessional - Neosho High School

Effective August 12, 2024
Brenda Hernandez - Preschool ECSE Teacher - Field Early Childhood Center
Miranda Fletcher - 1st Grade Teacher - Carver Elementary
Jaala Scott - 6th Grade Teacher - Neosho Middle School
Elizabeth Janisch - 3rd Grade Teacher - Carver Elementary
Rodney Edwards - SPED Teacher - Neosho Middle School
Kristy Pace - 4th Grade Teacher - South Elementary
Morgan Bruno - 6th Grade Teacher - Neosho Middle School
Cody Brooks - ELA Teacher - Neosho Junior High
Clara Keplar - 1st Grade Teacher - Carver Elementary
Aaron Dunbar - Mathematics Teacher - Neosho High School
Angela Rodriguez - Kindergarten Teacher - Goodman Elementary
Brandy Morris - Science Teacher - Neosho High School
Kristin Rohrback - Science Teacher - Neosho High School
Kayla Bach - 2nd Grade Teacher - Benton Elementary

Nicole Sparkman - SPED Teacher - Neosho Junior High
Stephen McIlvaine - Science Teacher - Neosho Junior High
Nikala Scott - Kindergarten Teacher - Goodman Elementary
Whitney Dunbar - Art Teacher - Goodman Elementary

Effective August 19, 2024
Bari Pitcher - FACS Teacher - Neosho Junior High (550 hours)

Athletics
Rebeccah Harris - Archery Coach - Neosho Junior High