Ex-Poplar Bluff streets chief faces trial

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- A former Poplar Bluff street department superintendent has been ordered to stand trial in connection with the shooting of a woman during what apparently began as a child-custody dispute at his home.

Accompanied by his attorney, Danny Moore, Jeremy W. Grable appeared before Associate Circuit Judge Thomas Swindle for a preliminary hearing in his case.

The 37-year-old resident of the 2200 block of Barron Road is charged with first-degree assault and armed criminal action in connection with the Jan. 31 shooting of Sheila D. Hunt. Both are felonies.

After hearing testimony from Hunt, Swindle found probable cause to bind Grable over to stand trial on the charges and ordered he appear at 9 a.m. June 23 for arraignment before Presiding Circuit Judge Michael Pritchett.

In her testimony, Hunt said, she and Grable, to whom she was never married, have a 3 1/2-year-old daughter.