Court briefs 9/30/05

Sentencing date set in death of 2-week-old

A Poplar Bluff, Mo., man faces up to life in prison for abusing his 2-week-old son to the point of death. David Alan Tippen, 20, withdrew his innocent plea on Tuesday to charges of child abuse resulting in death and second-degree murder, during a jury trial before Circuit Judge Benjamin Lewis. The court accepted his guilty plea, and a sentencing hearing is scheduled for Nov. 14. Each felony count holds 10 years to life in prison. The baby, Jacob Isaac Conk, died Jan. 3 at St. Louis Children's Hospital. The child had sustained multiple injuries to the head and body.

Woman gets probation for hit-and-run accident

Southeast Missorian

A Union County, Ill., woman received 18 months probation for a hit-and-run accident with a 5-year-old girl. Dorena Gibson pleaded guilty on Thursday to one felony charge of failure to report an accident involving personal injury. She agreed to 18 months probation, a $500 fine plus court costs and a $25-per-month probation fee. The hit-and-run occurred on July 10 in front of McDonald's in Anna, Ill. Gibson initially lied to police and did not come forward until July 20. The victim is recovering from two fractures to her leg.

Illinois man found guilty on drug-related charge

Southeast Missorian

An Illinois man was sentenced to three years in prison for drug charges. Michael Oliver, 26, of Belleville, Ill., appeared before U.S. District Judge Rodney W. Sippel on Tuesday and he was found guilty of one felony count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine powder. On July 25, an officer stopped Oliver's vehicle for traffic violations near Indian Park in Cape Girardeau. He was arrested on outstanding warrants. He and his passenger were searched, upon which a sock containing 264.3 grams of cocaine powder was discovered. Oliver later admitted the sock to be his.

-- From staff reports