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Some re-examined the evidence from the Mischelle Lawless murderTuesday, April 15, 2008Editor's note: In the beginning of 2006, Scott County Sheriff Rick Walter reopened a case resolved by Missouri courts in 1994. Unconvinced the right man was sent to prison for the murder of a Benton, Mo., college student named Angela Mischelle Lawless, Walter has been investigating old evidence. In less than two months, a judge will determine whether there is enough evidence to retry the case. This is the last of three stories detailing old and new aspects of the case.
By Bridget DiCosmo Southeast Missourian In 1997, private investigator Jim Sullins was working on a case in Jackson, when he pulled his car into a small barbecue joint on U.S. 61 and stopped in for a bite. One of the waitresses caught his eye as he sat down and picked up a menu. "She looked to me like someone who had just lost every friend she'd ever had," Sullins recalled in an interview with the Southeast Missourian. Sullins followed her as she headed toward the kitchen with a tray laden with food. He asked her what was wrong. She explained that her only son was currently in prison for murder, and that he was innocent of the crime. Sullins, thinking he could help, explained what he did and handed her one of his business cards before leaving the restaurant. Weeks later, Joan Kezer walked into his rented office on North Kingshighway in an old bottling company. She carried a box of documents. She asked Sullins to investigate Joshua C. Kezer's second-degree murder conviction for the 1992 slaying of Angela Mischelle Lawless. Back then, Sullins, previously a sheriff's deputy, handled a lot of workers' compensation-type cases. His resume includes some military police experience, but his career as a private investigator began at the age of 16 when a boss of his asked him to follow some people who had made conflicting statements. The only problem was, Sullins joked, he had no car. When he took on Kezer's case in August 1997, he spent the first several months attempting to prove Kezer's involvement in the murder of the 19-year-old college student. He says he couldn't. In fact, he found that he couldn't prove Kezer had been in the state at the time. Multiple family members in Kankakee, Ill., remembered seeing him the night of Nov. 7, 1992, less than two hours before Lawless was murdered. In just a few months, the case began to frustrate Sullins more than any case he'd ever worked. None of the typical elements, such as motive, were present, he said. Eventually, he packaged up what he had gathered and turned over "about 50 pounds of paperwork" to then-governor Mel Carnahan's office, Sullins didn't hear anything else about the investigation until 2004, when he was contacted by Jane Williams, a social worker who'd taken an interest in Kezer's case. She asked him to take another look. A new friend seeks help Unlike Sullins' experience with Joan Kezer, it wasn't Josh Kezer's despair that caught Williams' attention. It was his devotion. She was working as a volunteer at a religious service at Jefferson City Correctional Center when she noticed him deep in prayer, as though he didn't care who was watching. She learned that he was serving a 60-year sentence for second-degree murder and that he claimed he was innocent. The two became friends. Mostly, they talked about family and faith. Jane Williams noticed that Kezer rarely brought up the reason he was in prison, so finally she asked. He agreed to let her look at the trial transcripts. After reading the case, Jane Williams sought help. She carted a box containing the whole case to various law offices. In October 2006, she received a letter from Charles Weiss, a lawyer with the Bryan Cave law firm in St. Louis. He agreed to take the case pro bono. Kezer and Jane Williams were discussing Weiss' involvement and some new leads dug up by Sullins during a 2006 visit when Scott County Sheriff Rick Walter showed up at the prison, requesting to talk with Kezer. A different story emerges Like the previous sheriff, Bill Ferrell, Walter keeps a picture of Kezer under the glass of his desk at the Scott County Sheriff's office, but Walter had never met Kezer until that visit, when he told him he'd re-opened the case. Walter hired detective Branden Caid to work on the case full-time. The following year, Caid discovered that Mark Abbott, a witness whose testimony put Kezer in the vicinity of the crime scene minutes after Lawless' death and whose story changed several times in various statements given to investigators, told a different version in 1997 to narcotics officer Bill Bohnert of the Cape Girardeau Police Department, according to statements given by Bohnert. Bohnert interviewed Abbott in the Perry County Jail, where Abbot was held on federal charges for manufacturing methamphetamine. Bohnert said Abbott offered up new information about the Lawless homicide, hoping for leniency in his drug case. He allegedly told Bohnert that he saw Kevin Williams, a friend of his, commit the murder. According to Bohnert, Abbott said Kevin Williams had been having an affair with Lawless and she claimed she was pregnant with his child. According to Bohnert's deposition, Kevin Williams wanted to talk with her that night and try to calm her down, and Abbott said they followed her in her car, Bohnert said. Abbott said he flashed his lights from behind and Lawless pulled over. According to Abbott's statement, she and Kevin Williams argued for a short time, then Abbott said he heard gunshots, Bohnert said. Kevin Williams took off on foot toward the Ferrell Mobile Home Sales lot, according to Bohnert's statement. Abbott said he reported the homicide and later swung back round to pick up Kevin Williams, Bohnert said. In an interview with the Southeast Missourian, Bohnert said he reported the information to the lead investigator on the case, at the urging of Cape Girardeau County Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle. He was told they already had a conviction in the case and it would not be re-opened, he said. In letters to the Southeast Missourian, Abbott denied making the statement to Bohnert. Kevin Williams said at the time his wife, Terri, knew he saw other women and an affair would not have been a strong enough motive for him to commit murder. Kevin Williams said he never met Lawless. He said the night of the murder, he and Terri were at a Christmas party in Commerce, Mo. He said they saw Abbott that night at the party. Kevin Williams had considered leaving when Abbott left, but his wife insisted he stay, and they later left together and went straight home, they said. Witnesses come forward Physical evidence in the case suggested a struggle occurred on the grassy embankment outside of Lawless' 1986 Buick Somerset, though she was shot three times in the car. DNA found under her fingernails was recently retested using updated techniques. Kezer was excluded as a potential donor for any of the physical evidence in the case, including fingerprints, according to documents. Investigators never recovered a murder weapon. Since 2006, Walter has been made repeated requests to the Missouri State Highway Patrol to perform ballistics tests on a .380-caliber bullet recovered from a 1994 Southeast Missouri homicide case, but the patrol has refused, Walter said. The murder weapon was never found in the 1994 homicide case either, but Walter said he's heard rumors that the same gun may have been used in both killings. He'd like to compare the bullets recovered from the Lawless murder with the ones in that case. The ballistics reports from both cases show similar land and groove markings, he said. Another man gave a statement to Kezer's attorneys implicating Abbott, saying they were at a fishing cabin together when the conversation turned to Lawless' murder. Mark Abbott told him they had the wrong person in jail, the witness said, according to an affidavit. When asked how he knew, he said he "took care of her," the statement said. The witness said he reported the incident to Ferrell, but he was told the case was closed. Ferrell could not be reached for comment. Another witness came forward and gave statements to both the Scott County Sheriff's department and Kezer's attorney saying she heard Kevin Williams say the wrong person was in prison. Williams then described taking Lawless to one of the trailers in the Ferrell Trailer Sales Lot, along with Mark Abbott, the witness stated. According to the statement, Kevin Williams said Abbott killed the girl when things got rough in the trailer. A third witness gave a statement saying he and his wife were in the car with Kevin Williams shortly after Kezer's conviction when the subject of the Lawless murder came up. When they drove past the Ferrell Trailer Sales lot, Kevin Williams allegedly said that was where it all started. He implicated Abbott, and said the owner of the trailer, Lawless, and another man were there, the witness said. The same witness stated that Mark and his twin brother Matt Abbott had both dated Lawless. Witnesses' names have been withheld to protect them from retaliation. Kevin Williams said in an interview with the Southeast Missourian he never made statements about the murder to anyone. Matt Abbott said neither he nor his brother had ever met Lawless. Both Matt Abbott and Kevin Williams say they have voluntarily supplied DNA samples and have offered to take polygraphs. Matt Abbott said it's possible his brother and Kevin Williams could have made the statements, but chalked it up to bravado and showing off. All three men have said they are unsure that Kezer actually committed the murder. "If that boy's innocent, I don't want him in there," said Kevin Williams. Judge to hear evidence Meanwhile, Kezer continues to fight for his freedom. He has learned to forgive, he said, but it's not a one-shot deal. Every day is a struggle. He has maintained his absolute innocence since his arrest. In June, a judge will hear new evidence in the case and eventually rule on whether the conviction should be tossed or a new trial held. Kezer said he knows the true victim in the case remains Lawless, and he never wants anyone to lose sight of that. "I was brought into this as involuntarily as she was," he said. 335-6611, extension 245 Have a comment? Log on to semissourian.com/today
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Many more people know the truth about how Mischelle Lawless was murdered. They have not come forward because they are either afraid of retaliation by the true perpetrators or were present themselves at the scene of the crime. It is very possible that several people witnessed the murder. Hopefully after reading these newspaper articles others will join the courageous group that have come forward. If ANYONE has heard even a second or third hand report of how this crime occurred or has any infomation at all, please contact Sheriff Walter. The whole truth is going to come out - wouldn't you hate to learn that someone else has told authorities you had information and withheld it? Wouldn't you like to get the weight of this injustice off your conscience? It's time to tell the truth!
Sounds like the decision for injustice was made repeatedly--every time new evidence was reported and ignored
Great Job Ms. DiCosmo, Also hats off to Rick Walter and anyone else working on this case. It gives me renewed faith in the justice system, that the truth is more important that a conviction. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to the Lawless Family and the Kezer Family. I pray to God the real killer(s) are exposed and that justice will be served. I just can't figure out why people would go around talking and bragging about such a horrific crime if they were not involved in it. It is definitly NOT something to be proud of. And I do agree that if other people know something they should come forward, are the real killers going to kill everyone that does! Right is right, and wrong is wrong, so if you know or have heard anything you should go to the authorities with this information.
The writer of these article should check their sources more carefully when writing about a subject this sensetive. The Lawless "family" NEVER took Abbott out to breakfast. They only knew him from his testimony in the trial. Otherwise they had no contact with him outside of the courtroom.
I did not read where the paper said that. I thought I read it in a post somewhere.
Who is Kevin Williams? People have posted on here in other articles that they were keeping his name out because of his name. Why is he a big name in Southeast Missouri?
I would like to applaud Scott Co. Sheriff's Dept., B.Caid & Sheriff Walter for their hard work & dedication on this case. If the other bunch was this dedicated about finding the truth instead of taking the word of thugs just to get the case closed then maybe the real killer(s) would be in prison & not Kezer.
I, myself as a Scott Co. citizen feel alot safer knowing that guys like Sheriff Walter & Branden Caid are in charge. Again, Thank you!
I really don't understand how the state highway patrol can repeatedly refuse a county sheriff's request for bullets to compare in a murder investigation. This seems like obstruction of justice. What can be done about this? Why would the highway patrol not want the truth to come out? What harm could occur by comparing bullets? Could it be the state does not want to admit that two innocent men have been convicted? Ricky Clay sitting on death row in Potosi has told someone I know personally that he is innocent of the Martindale murder. Comparing the bullets in the Lawless and Martindale cases might be a way to find out if Clay is telling the truth about his innocence. Isn't this worth pursuing? A man's life is at stake here.
Can you give a link or some details on the Martindale case?
Where, when? Just not familiar with the story and wondering what happened.
Here's a link to the Clay case
http://websolutions.learfield.com/deathrow/gestalt/go.cfm?objectid=21D05040-100E-4F83-80C073D37FE212E8
Where did that happen?
Can someone tell me more about this other murder case? I read the link below. Is there a reason why they think they're related?
Look at who was sheriff at the time also. I know from the past on how crooked he used to be from experience. The Abbotts have made their bed so now they need to lay in it. I have known them for years and they were nothing but trouble. I know my heart goes out to the Kezer's and definitely the Lawless Family. I just hope the new sheriff will get to the bottom of this because there has been an innocent man in prison for umteen years for a crime that he did NOT commit. Like Dayspring said there ARE people out there that were there that nite or know more to the story and need to come forward. But they are scared of what might happen to them. And honestly i really would be too. But these people need to put themself in these families shoes. Come forward please!! Have faith!!! These guys will go down for the crime they committed and if the judge does not see what we all see then he is blind. Pray that it gets reopened:)
The same type of bullets were involved in both the Martindale and Lawless murders. It would be nice to know if they came from the same gun. Unfortunately the state highway patrol does not seem to want to make that possible.
The last time I checked the sheriff the said county is the top dog. If he wants to reopen a investigation especially into a capital crime then he can so. The Missouri State Highway Patrol cant do a thing about it including the denial of presenting and testing evidence. Sounds like to me that they have something to hide. Sheriff Walter i applaude you on the fact thaat your not willing to sit down just continue, you at least are willing to look behind you also. Goodluck on your investigation.
TravisSheppard,
I do not know the laws, but is it a problem for the county to have the state test evidence from a crime that happened in a different county?
For everyone,
What, besides the type of gun, is the connection between these two horrible crimes? Were any of those people in the Martindale tragedy involved with the Abbotts?
This entry is for IThink and Mary_Jo:
Did you not read yesterday's article?
"He sobbed as bailiffs led him from the courtroom, wailing "No, I didn't do this. I didn't kill her, why doesn't anyone believe that?"
After the trial Lawless family took Mark Abbott to breakfast, grateful for his testimony. "
So Mary_Jo they did take Abbott out to breakfast after the trial was over.
And btw, Ms. DiCosmo you are doing a wonderful job relaying this information to the public. I fully support Sheriff Walter and think he's doing the right thing looking in to this case. Growing up in the area of Benton you always heard Ferrell got the wrong guy and the one(s) that did it are still out there. The truth will come out, I have no doubt in that.
Okay, connection R. Clay is supposedly K.W's cousin and yes they all (Abbott's)ran together because they had a mutual interest ..the big M. And there is more...
I am wondering why KW and wife don't use their names? And how sad to think, he must have been involved with many women, but his wife is ok with these affairs.
I was just wondering where Kevin and is wife are from?
Has Kevin's wife been questioned? I can see it happening..... Kevin & Abbott leave the "party" the wife is upset KW didn't stay at the party with her so she follows them and watches...... she sees KW & Lawless talking, gets mad, follows her, with Abbott & KW not far behind, she flashes Lawless, Lawless thinking it's KW stops. Wife goes to the car, her & ML have words, fight, then KW & Abbott pull up & there is were it turned deadly. They could've help cover wifey's *** or KW could've been so mad that he pulled the trigger..????? OR.... maybe Abbott was trying to hook up with ML & she told him to get lost, he followed her, drunk & rejected he does it. To cover his ***... he goes to the S.O. to report it. "The upstanding, religious person he was just trying to help" Explain how he knew she was shot??? If you weren't involved!!!! SO... ***KARMA*** What goes around, Comes around!!!
Maybe there are many more people who should be questioned. And I am very interested in the DNA results. Will we hear about the results in the newspaper?
Does KW and/or wife have crimminal records?
I just want to say that to anyone involved with this crime, you deserve to be punished. I pray every day that justice will be served for Mischelle, Joshua Kezer and their families. But most of all I pray for justice to be served to the people that are truly responsible for taking one life and ruining another. But I can take some solice in the fact that the truly guilty party(ies) will eventually answer for what they've done, whether it be here in this life, or in the next!
I don't understand how the Highway Patrol can "refuse"to analyse evidence related to a crime even though the case is "solved". If the Scott County Sheriff has reopened the case, any and all evidence should be re-evaluated at his request. I agree it seems as though they too have something to hide. Is there not a State Crime Lab that could be brought in as an impartial party? Also regarding the prosecutor who prosecuted this case and is currently running for Gov.of Mo., I think anyone thinking of voting for him ought to do their research. As prosecutor he had to know that there were things not right. I've seen more than one post commenting on what a good prosecuting atty. he was. I also think there was a comment in the St. Louis Post article from him stating it was a difficult case to win as there was hardly any evidence.
I applaud Sheriff Walther and everyone else who is trying to do the right thing. I pray they are successful.
kellygrad,
I think they live in Oran,Mo. He has his own buisness(construction: roofing etc.) I'm not sure bout the wife but, KW has been to prison for???? U guessed it.. DRUGS.
Did i just read that rick walters thinks a CONVICTED MURDERER is innocent? How many dead girls would it take for rick to realize A CONVICTED MURDERER- IS JUST THAT!!??? Sometimes i wonder..... does rick still harbour resentment for being the first and only reserve deputy that ever got fired under Bill Ferrell's watch? Theres a fine line between murder and revenge-
msdoe,
It's a dam shame being STUPID isn't against the law, then maybe Sheriff Rick Walter could have the pleasure of locking your *** up!!!! It has NOTHING to do with revenge, it's about YES, an INNOCENT man that has spent the last 15 years paying for someone elses mistake. You need to wake up and come back to reality & read the *BS* called "evidence" that sent him to prison. This is about real peoples lives idiot. Adult stuff, you don't understand, so, go back to the playground with your revenge bull!!! Rick is the best Sheriff Scott Co has seen in along time. Hopefully everyone will agree & keep him in office were he needs to be!
kellygrad,
Correction. KW lives in Commerce. Not Oran. Sorry bout that
msdoe,
You are clearly a Bill Ferrell/Bobby Sullivan supporter. There is a time and place for the crap you are ranting about, and this is not it. A man sits in prison that may very well be innocent. If you think that Rick Walter is the only person that believes that Kezer is innocent, then you should be a Ferrell/Sullivan supporter....that is the right speed for you.
msdoe, WOW! My condolences.
I guess if Sheriff Walter is after revenge, then so are the others that are seeking the truth??? This is not one man seeking the truth, but many individuals and groups. Why would people from miles away care who is elected or who was fired years ago. This is only going to get more interesting, day by day. I hope these blogs are kept so we can go back and see some of the comments that have been made on here. It will be a glorious day when the details are out and the truth is told. Read John 8:32-
ms doe, you are truly an idiot, this has nothing to do with love or hate for Ferrell. It has to do with right and wrong. To this day a person who was wrongfully put in prison for a crime, I am sure he did not commit, says he did not do it(Kezer). And ones who where definitly at the scence going around bragging they killed this victim (Lawless). And can you read who was bragging about,,ABBOTT. etc. Now why on God's earth would you brag about something like murder, if you did not do it, and to so many people. There is a lot of tragedy here all away around. Tragic that you are so stupid.
Do you really think MsDoe is for real? I wonder if she is just seeing how many people will respond to her??? Maybe it is a game she is playing????
Navy girl 2
I'm sure she is real, there are morons like that out there that think Ferrell hung the moon. I think that most people would agree that he did not hang it, and that this man in prison at the LEAST deserves a new trial.
This series that has ran for the past three days has destroyed some innocent peoples lives. I can not believe that this newspaper would allow this type of journalism to take place. Displaying peoples photographs in this past Monday's edition, people that had not even been charged or convicted of this crime was uncalled for and poor journalism. Photographs being released to the newspaper of the crime scene itself. The unfair attack upon the former Sheriff of Scott County is uncalled for and by no means professional. I thought this blog was to be monitored and properly policed but apparently not, it has turned in to a complete media circus which some have just thrived on. We all are better people then this I would hope. Every one is entitled to due process of law in this country but what has taken place on this blog and in the newspaper the past three days regarding this story has been unbelieveable. I feel for the Lawless family who once again has too live through this nightmare again and read about it in the local newspaper and on this blog which has become completely out of control, I believe in freedom of the press but it has got where a person is tried in the newspaper or on T.V. and not in a court of law. People we are better then this.
Something doesn't make sense. KW and his wife were at a "supposed" Christmas party the first week of November, the night ML was killed. Thanksgiving wasn't even celebrated, yet they were already having a Christmas Party? Sure sounds weird to me?
swampeastmissouri, I can't think of any innocent lives that have been destroyed by these articles. What innocent person has been maligned here?
Why don't you care about the innocent man who has sat behind bars for fifteen years? You seem to be only concerned about protecting the reputations of the powerful. Trying to divert attention from the HUGE issue of wrongful conviction to details of reporting aseems very calloused to me.
The damn has broken - can't you see it? People finally have a forum to convey years of pent up feelings and concerns. Your petty criticisms are not going to stop what is coming forth so you might as well stop trying.
Swampeastmissouri,
The newspaper is doing the right thing. They are only trying to find out who the real murderer is. Our court system and former Sheriff totally screwed over an innocent young man 15 years ago. Joshua Kezer deserves to be set free immediately. You did not mention Kezer's name in your post. It sounds like someone you know may be responsible for the murder and you are afraid that the truth may come out.
Southeat Missourian Newspaper,
Keep up the good work and do not give up on Joshua Kezer. Alot of people are getting really nervous and the truth will finally come out.
I hope Josh Kezer gets to see how many people are rooting for him and wanting him to receive a fair shot at a retrial. Will someone tell him he is not forgotten, and convey to him that there are many who are standing with him, wanting the truth to be fully known. We get to read all these comments, but he has no access to a computer....Tell him we love him and are praying for his release. There is nothing hidden that will not one day be revealed.
For anyone who (may) be involved in this atrocity-in any way, shape, or form--GOD is merciful & forgiving to all who sincerely turn to Him & ask. Thank GOD that where there is life, there is hope.
Swampeastmissouri,
Once again we have an idiot among us! Everyone in the photo-lineup was INNOCENT including Josh Kezer. How did it ruin innocent lives, so what it showed some pictures in the paper, BIG DEAL. 1 among those innocent men have spent the last 15 years in prison, time he can never get back & u want to complain about a dam picture & opening old wounds... This needs to be done. Josh deserves to be FREE!!!! Would u be B****ing if it were u on the other side of the bars. U know if u don't want to see what people have to say about the reinvestigation on this case then keep your *** out of here. Nobodies making u read it. So, go blow smoke up someones elses *** cause we are behind Sheriff Walter & B. Caid on these. Finally we have some men that are willing to fight for the truth & a mans freedom without thinking about jerks like you & your stupid *** comments trying to twist everything around to make them look like the bad guy. Not today "Buddy", better luck next time.
It is absolutely horrid that this whole issue is being tried in the media even before a court has heard any of the evidence in order to grant a new trial! I agree that this matter should be looked into but not in the media! A jury found this man guilty not Ferrell or any other law enforcement office. They simply presented the information to the prosecutor who in turn filed the charges and tried the case. Not only that, the defense attorney is responsible for proving reasonable doubt and if the young man had an aliby then for heavens sake why was it not presented? And if I am not mistaken, I do believe I recall hearing rumors of the scene being hindered by the responding deputies as well as ambulance and other emergency personel because the 1st responding deputies did not secure the scene! So why has that not been brought to light since Sheriff Walters and his Deputy Roy Moore were the 1st two officers on the scene? So if your going to make this about the two sheriffs, then put it all out there. Personally, I feel this should not be made a political issure. This is about a family, possibly two, getting justice and closure!
For anyone who (may) be conected to this atrocity-in any way, shape, or form--know that GOD is merciful & forgiving to all who sincerely seek Him & ask. Where there is life, there is hope.
sc native56,
How can you in one sentence blame Rick Walter for hindering the scene and say if we are going to make this a political issue then lets put it all out there, then turn around and say that you dont think that it should be a political issue? I have lived in this area all of my life, and never heard that the scene was hindered and that is why Kezer is in prison. You must have some inside info on how the scene was hindered and that is why Kezer was put into prison. Please, share your info with the group.
native56,
I'm not sure about rumors. But I see FACTS here. I have seen them for the past 3 days, and saw them back in Nov. when this was printed in STL.
If the scene wasn't secured, then how the hell can evidence be collected? The same evidence that proved JK wasn't there 15yrs ago. The same evidence that the PA lied about in a courtroom. The same evidence that has been tested today.
Native56 and msdoe sound like they want the loser Ferrell and his buddy Sullivan back in charge.
SC_native56,
So u say Ferrell didn't send this innocent man to prison? How is that, when the paper says people came foward to talk but, Ferrell didn't want to hear it. He had a man convicted of the crime & the case was closed. Did it matter to him that he could have the wrong guy? Hell no!!! As far as your statement about this being in the media...... people need to know JK's story. How this happened to a 17 year old boy. Stripped of everything u & I got to enjoy. Just say that u were 1 of the other guys in that picture line-up & Abbott pointed to your picture, would u think it's such a bad thing then? NOOOOOO!!!!! U people that are here to talk about "BS" that points fingers at this one & that one for one thing or another.Everyone wants to pass the buck & blame the next guy. Grow the Hell up! One family lost a beautiful daughter & one lost a son. If the Lawlless family & Kezer family don't seem to have a problem with it, then why in the hell do u? This is not about what u & I think or feel, it's about a murderer(S) still walking the streets while someone else serves the time for his/hers/their crime.
I am anxious to see what the pictures and headlines will be when this is all over! I hope that there will also be a photo of Josh walking out a free man and supporters giving encouragement as he begins his new life (which will not be easy). Josh apparently has grown in prison and will be leaving a better man. I wonder if he will regret this time in prison? He may not have found Christ without this time?
Mary_Jayne
I DID read the article, that's why I said that is not true. The Lawless "family" NEVER took Mark Abbott out to breakfast, DiCosmo needs to check her sources
I have read everything here and in the St Louis paper out of curiosity over what all the hoopla is about. I don't know any of these people, but it certainly appears to me that the wrong man is in prison. No evidence of his presence, his DNA is not that which was found under her nails. If Keezer struggled with her and killed her it would be his DNA, so obviously it wasn't him.
The more I read, and not just this case, about what has come out since Farrell left office, the worse he looks. If I was Keezer and was found innocent, and if the courts say there was evidence clearing him that was ignored, I know who I'd be suing. This reminds me of the Duke LaCross players. IF Farrell ignored evidence, he should be held accountable.
MsDoe
Being convicted doesn't make a person guilty any more than having birthdays makes a person mature.
Josh was in Kankakee County IL on 10-31, the night he supposedly argued with ML, and on the night of the murder. I know this. He was in MY garage with my sons band on the 31st. He was checking on another cousin who had been in an accident on the night of the murder less than 2 hours before she was killed.
I drive to the Cape Girardeau area at least twice a year. Trust me, you can't get from here to there in 2 hours. You're are lucky to make it in 6.
There were plenty of witnesses who testified. But God only knows why we were not beleived.
Hulsoff lied about the blood. Ferrell just wanted a clean record. One of the jurors was asleep on day 4 of the trial.
I was a subpeoned witness and as such, I was not allowed in the court room until after I testified, and rightly so. Yet Chantelle Crider sat in the courtroom throught out the proceddings and was then allowed to point the finger at Josh. She has since said that it was an honest mistake, but was it? People need to stand up and take responsibility for their actions.
All Ferrell had to do was make a few phone calls to Kankakee and he would have known that Josh was here. But he KNOWINGLY arrested an innocent 18 yr old. He set Josh up and cost him 15 yrs of his life. If justice were truly served Ferrell wold be trading places with my nephew.
I knew Kevin and his wife for years....I agree she knew her husband was cheating on her all the time.Yes she is stupid for staying with him,because,I feel i deserve more than a cheating husband,but on the other hand they were married in the eyes of god and I guess thats why she stayed with him,well anyway, I knew Kevin and I can't believe he could do this,but,If he did he should roit in jail right along with the other guilty parties.I don't believe in the justice system.They are all crooked...everyone of them in law in forcement....I hope they can prove Jks innocence,I went to school with the lawless' and my heart goes out to them.If it had been my sister I would want justice one way or another.
My heart goes out to the Lawless family for loosing there daughter. BUT, when they have the wrong man in prison for this,SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE!!!!! Josh Kezer was in Kankakee, Ilinois when all this took place. Alot of his family and friends no this. Missouri
has taken away and inncent young mans childhood from him. They will pay for this, but Josh will never get those young years back. So very sad!! He was 18 when this happened, now a 33 yr. old man is still very much in pain for something he DID NOT DO !! We can THANK GOD that this case is reopened, and that Josh does have alot of people backing him. Hang in Josh, We pray for you everyday that this will be solved, and the RIGHT MAN will suffer in prison for what he did!!
Bock said that given the economy, the commission should consider "the need to send out a warning to cut down expenditures as much as possible."
Then why does Bock or any of the comissioners need a truck...
Please, take a moment or two to truly care and get involved in our community...
Please voice your thoughts (here or phone the commissioner's office)...if you find this UN-budgeted expense/purchase concerning. I'd like to see the commissioners offer taxpayers a cost/benefit anaylsis (depreciation of a newer vehicle, current mileage/fuel consumption, up-keep on older vehicle, lost income from revenue spent on newer vehicle, insurance expense difference between older v. newer vehicle et al) of THIS UN-budgeted fairly-large expense.
County Commissioner's contact information:
http://www.showme.net/...
Noting when I phoned yesterday at 1:40pm, I received a recording. Unacceptable IMO during normal business hours, as we pay 3 commissioners in the area of $65,000 each and at least one part-time assistant (if memory serves).
Also noting, the county website does NOT offer an email address for these elected county officials. WHY not?
AND I expect an elected official with a salary of $65,000 annually and a provided vehicle, courtesy of taxpayer dollars...to WORK a minimum of 40-50 hours a week on COUNTY business!
This is beyond insane. These commissioners make $65000 per year for doing very little- mostly arguing and trying to stab each other in the back- and yet they expect a new truck to drive. I suppose now that they have this cash they are getting from Drury for the land deal they are trying to see what all they can spend it on for themselves.
We so desparately need new commissioners- but not one that the mayor of Cape approves of!!!!!
More pathetic news from our County Commissioners.
Lets remember to begin cleaning up this mess on Nov.4th!
Cape County furnishs the commissioners vehicles WOW. and 65,000,WOW
Even if the commish had email addresses, Purcell is the only one who probably knows how to use a computer anyway, so what good would emails do? 25 grand would go a long way on a good used vehicle. Or, why not use a personal vehicle and write it off?
Why not use their own vehicles?That cushy 60k plus annual salary should easily cover whatever fuel they
may need for travel around the County!Whats next with
this three ring circus?The Commission is like a bad sore that keeps getting picked!
bock says we need to send out notice to cut back on expenditures and he wants us to buy him a new truck???
How long have the county commissioners had assigned county vehicles? Judging from the model year of the vehicle in question - it would appear the policy dates back to at least 1996? What would be the justification for changing things now? Not sure this would be an issue at all if it weren't for the other goings-on. Well, the unbudgeted part is a bit of a concern.
What are the makes, models, and years of the other commissioners' vehicles? When are they expected to be due up for replacement?
What are other counties of similar size doing in regards to compensation and perk packages for their leaders?
What are the reasons for replacing the vehicle in question now, outside of the regular budget cycle? Does it need major repairs, or is it just 'old'?
What is the current policy? Does the policy cover only travel for county business, or is the vehicle for both personal and business use? Does the policy include guidelines such as age, maintenance expenses, or mileage limits towards eligibility for replacement? - this would go a long ways towards properly budgeting for the next one. Does the policy specify what kinds of vehicles and what option packages are to be purchased for particular applications? Suggest that a well-thought-out policy reviewed periodically eliminates the need for in-depth investigations towards each and every vehicle purchase.
Is a four-wheel drive vehicle a reasonable consideration, given the assumed duties of emergency response during winter weather, and of travel to sites not readily accessible by roads - farm fields, construction areas, etc.?
Suggest that $24,000 for a vehicle expected to last 10-12 years may not be that bad - comes out to $2,000-$2,500 per year, assuming zero value at the end. Of course, there are the fuel and maintenance expenses to consider.
The risk of buying a used vehicle is the higher probability of buying the previous owner's headache - whether that be something as major as an upcoming transmission job or as minor as the ashtrays got full.
If the rental and purchase costs per mile are equal, why would one not opt to purchase and have an asset to show for the money spent?
If indeed this WAS a new vehicle bought for a commissioner...then these dudes don't drive a whole lot of miles. Believe I read the vehicle to be replaced ONLY has 95,000 or so miles on it.
Here's a novel idea...well not really others have suggested it too....Sell ALL the county provided vehicles (assistants too and if Swingle has one...his too), put the money in the bank and pay them mileage for actual COUNTY business doings.