FUGITIVE SURPRISES PROSECUTOR; SHOWS UP FOR COURT

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- An Illinois man charged with murder made a surprise court appearance Friday.

Even though John A. Long of Decatur, Ill., was scheduled to appear for a hearing, Cape Girardeau County prosecutor Morley Swingle said he didn't expect him.

Long, 42, had been charged with second-degree murder in the death of a friend last February after his friend's car flew off Highway 177 and crashed. The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported that Long and John Endrizzi were drag racing when their cars collided. Both men were intoxicated, the highway patrol reported.

But last July, Long was released from jail after his $100,000 bond was lowered to $40,000.

On Jan. 1, a Decatur woman reported that Long assaulted her, resulting in charges of aggravated assault and endangerment of a child by the Macon County State's Attorney's office.

Before Long could be arrested, he fled to Connecticut, Swingle said.

When Long appeared in Perry County court for the change of venue hearing Friday morning, Swingle said he was surprised.

"When his name was called, I went forward, he went forward and then the deputies went forward after him and arrested him in front of everyone who had come to court," the prosecutor said.

The next time Long appears in court on Feb. 23, it will be with a new attorney. Cape Girardeau attorney Al Lowes has declined to represent Long any more in the case.

Long's bond was also increased from $40,000 to $150,000 by Judge John Grimm.