Jetton gets new judge in Scott County assault case

Former Missouri House speaker Rod Jetton has a new judge and a new court date on felony assault charges pending in Scott County.

Associate Circuit Judge T. Lynn Brown of Mississippi County was assigned to handle the case after Jetton's attorney, Stephen C. Wilson of Cape Girardeau, asked for a change of judge during Jetton's initial arraignment last week.

And on Friday, Brown scheduled a new court date, directing Jetton to be back in court Jan. 21.

Jetton did not attend last week's initial arraignment. Jetton, a Republican from Marble Hill, Mo., is accused of punching and choking a Sikeston, Mo., woman while engaging in sexual intercourse Nov. 15 at her home.

The court case is in its early stages. When Brown has Wilson, perhaps Jetton and an attorney from the Scott County prosecuting attorney's office on hand Jan. 21, he is expected to set a date for a preliminary hearing to determine if there is enough evidence to take Jetton to trial.

According to the complaint filed with the court, Jetton "recklessly caused serious physical injury" to the victim "by hitting her on the head, and choking her resulting in unconsciousness and the loss of the function of a part of her body."

Jetton represented the 156th District Missouri House seat from 2001 to 2009. He was elected speaker in 2005, serving in the post considered the second most powerful job in state government until he was forced out of office by term limits.

While a lawmaker, Jetton began a political consulting business, first called Commonsense Conservative Consulting and then, after he left the legislature, called Rod Jetton & Associates. With a client base of fellow lawmakers and an industry-funded group opposing higher electric rates, Jetton's consulting firm was paid $469,743.74 during 2008 and 2009 by committees that report to the Missouri Ethics Commission.

After he was charged with the assault, Jetton announced he would close his consulting firm.

rkeller@semissourian.com

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