Judge grants three bonfire hosts venue change to Perry County

The three hosts of a Jan. 18 bonfire party where 14 guests were seriously burned in an explosion will not be tried in Cape Girardeau County on alcohol charges.

Associate Circuit Judge Scott Thomsen granted a change of venue to Jonathon W. Edwards, 19, and James R. McGhee and Tyler L. Gerlach, both 20. The three are charged with possession of beer by a minor, a misdemeanor. Thomsen set their next appearance for May 1 in Perry County.

The men allegedly provided three kegs of beer during a party on County Road 621 that came to a fiery end after a 5-gallon plastic gasoline container was thrown into the bonfire. Many of the guests, including the burn victims, were not of legal age to drink alcohol.

Defense attorney Benjamin F. Lewis is representing the three men. When asked by Thomsen Tuesday whether he intends to take the case to trial in Perry County, Lewis said he was not sure.

The suspect in the explosion, Jerry L. Self, 22, of Millersville, will next appear May 16 for a motions hearing in Perry County Circuit Court concerning the 14 assault charges filed against him. The case was moved to Perryville on a change of venue. A jury trial has been set for July 9.