Bluff man may face death penalty

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Prosecutors will seek the death penalty against a man if he's convicted of raping and murdering a woman found in an abandoned railroad tunnel last summer.

Butler County Prosecuting Attorney Kevin Barbour filed the papers in court Tuesday against Brian Hemphill, 20, of Poplar Bluff.

Hemphill is charged with murder, armed criminal action and rape in the July 20 death of Cheryl Hesselrode, 45.

An autopsy determined Hesselrode was stabbed 30 times; authorities said they found the knife in the Black River allegedly used in the attack.

Hemphill's next scheduled court appearance is March 2.