LAWYER'S LICENSE SUSPENDED

The Missouri Supreme Court has suspended Cape Girardeau lawyer James R. McHaney from practicing law, pending the completion of a disbarment proceeding against him. The court issued the order Tuesday.

The Missouri Bar is seeking to disbar McHaney for misconduct based on his conviction for stalking earlier this year. McHaney still faces a disbarment hearing before permanently losing his law license.

McHaney, 64, of 815 Themis was convicted of the misdemeanor charge Jan. 30 by a jury in Jefferson County, where the case was moved from Cape Girardeau County on a change of venue. McHaney's sentence consisted of a $1,000 fine.

At the sentencing hearing, McHaney and his attorney vowed to appeal the conviction.