Court date delayed for Sikeston couple

CHARLESTON, Mo. --Wednesday's court date for the Sikeston couple charged with supplying alcohol to minors has been moved to Oct. 17.

In July, Mark Cheatham, 49, and his wife, Terry Brewer-Cheatham, 47, appeared in the Scott County courtroom of Circuit Judge Terry L. Brown and pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from a May 20 party at their home.

They were originally cited after officers from Sikeston's Department of Public Safety responded to complaints of loud music and underage drinking at their home May 20.

The case was moved to Mississippi County's courthouse in July.

The Cheathams' attorney, Stephen C. Wilson, confirmed that he requested the delay for three reasons.

"We're still doing some discovery in the case," he said, in a voice mail to the Southeast Missourian on Wednesday afternoon. "No. 2, there was a funeral involved and that's all I'm going to say about that, and No. 3, I had two other counties I had to be in this morning, and it was going to be more convenient not to make it three."

Scott County Prosecuting Attorney Paul Boyd said he agreed to the continuance.

"When people have medical issues or funerals, we try to show courtesy," he said.

Boyd said he is hoping that court date ends with the couple making a guilty plea or the judge setting a trial date. If the Cheathams do not make a plea, they would be tried as co-defendants.

Boyd's office filed state charges against the Cheathams, in light of 30 people at the party, ages 17 to 20, who were cited for underage possession of alcohol.

If found guilty, the Cheathams face up to six months in jail and a $500 fine for each charge.