Court briefs 12/20/05

Cape man sentenced for hitting man with bat

A Cape Girardeau man was sentenced on Monday after he pleaded guilty for striking a man on the head with a baseball bat. Joseph A. Akens, 25, of 337 N. Ellis St., was sentenced to 60 days in the Cape Girardeau County jail after he pleaded guilty to the reduced charge of misdemeanor assault. He originally pleaded innocent to a class C felony assault before Circuit Judge Benjamin Lewis, who set a jury trial for Feb. 15. Cape Girardeau County Prosecutor Morley Swingle charged Akens after an Oct. 4 attack in which Akens reportedly attacked a 31-year-old man who was walking down North Ellis Street.

Robbery suspect granted change of venue, judge

Charles W. Williams, 18, of Thebes, Ill., was granted a change of judge and change of venue on Monday for attempted robbery of the KFC at 2101 William St. Circuit Judge Benjamin Lewis turned the case over to Circuit Judge William Syler, who will determine the change of venue on Jan. 23. Cape Girardeau County Prosecutor Morley Swingle charged Williams on Nov. 2 with one count each of attempted robbery, armed criminal action, felony assault, resisting arrest and misdemeanor assault. Bond was set at $100,000. Authorities say Williams attempted to rob the KFC at knifepoint Nov. 2 but employees thwarted the robbery.