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NewsAugust 11, 2000

A Wayne County commissioner accused of pistol whipping a man he thought was tearing down his campaign signs lost by a wide margin Tuesday in the Democratic primary for his seat. Bruce W. Keel of Piedmont, Mo., is charged with unlawful use of a weapon and second degree assault, both felonies, stemming from a June 29 incident at a convenience store parking lot in Mill Spring, Mo. Keel has pleaded innocent to both charges...

A Wayne County commissioner accused of pistol whipping a man he thought was tearing down his campaign signs lost by a wide margin Tuesday in the Democratic primary for his seat.

Bruce W. Keel of Piedmont, Mo., is charged with unlawful use of a weapon and second degree assault, both felonies, stemming from a June 29 incident at a convenience store parking lot in Mill Spring, Mo. Keel has pleaded innocent to both charges.

Keel, who has served on the county commission since 1995, finished second Tuesday in a three-way primary. Henry "Bud" Snider of Piedmont won the election with 826 votes -- more than double the 343 votes cast for Keel. Don Kemp of Mill Spring finished third with 270 votes.

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Sinder will face Republican William Thorsland of Leeper, Mo., in the general election.

A preliminary hearing on the criminal charges against Keel is scheduled for Sept. 14 at the Madison County Courthouse in Fredericktown, Mo., where the case was moved due to Keel's position in Wayne County government. Cape Girardeau County Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle is serving as special prosecutor.

Keel's term on the commission run through the end of the year.

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