Hearings continued for three accused of making false charge

Arraignment was continued to Jan. 5 for three women charged with falsely accusing a Cape Girardeau police officer of assault.

Diane Ray, 44, of 715 S. Pacific St., and La Sha Townsend, 30, of 617 Boxwood Drive, Apt. 4, appeared on a summons before Associate Circuit Judge Gary Kamp on Thursday. Both appeared without lawyers, said prosecutor Mike Linsenmeyer. Ray pleaded not guilty, while Townsend entered no plea.

Louquisha E. Heartfield, 33, of 141 N. Silver Springs Road, didn't appear. A summons had not been served because of an inactive address, Linsenmeyer said. An arrest warrant is pending.

Kamp continued the hearings to grant the women time to find lawyers, Linsenmeyer said.

The three women were charged Nov. 14 after they alleged that patrolman David Valentine punched Townsend in the face during a high school football game in Houck Stadium. A student's video of the incident cleared Valentine of the accusations.

If convicted, they face up to six months in jail or a $500 fine.