MAN IN MELEE PLEADS TO LESSER CHARGES

POPLAR BLUFF -- One of the eight men facing charges in a clash with Cape Girardeau Police last June pleaded guilty to lesser charges Tuesday rather than face a jury trial, said Morley Swingle, prosecuting attorney for Cape Girardeau County.

Jermaine Williams, 21, pleaded guilty to interfering with arrest before a Butler County judge on a change of venue from Cape Girardeau County. In return for pleading guilty and avoiding a jury trial scheduled for Nov. 12, the prosecutor dropped charges of rioting and assaulting a police officer, Swingle said.

He could be sentenced to one to five years in prison for interfering with an arrest, the prosecutor said. Swingle will recommend five years.

The court action stems from a June 11 incident when a crowd estimated at 150 people threw rocks at police who were attempting to arrest Greg and Kenneth Campbell in the 300 block of Good Hope Street. Six police officers were injured.

Prior to setting a sentencing date, the judge will conduct a presentence investigation that should last 30 to 45 days, Swingle said. After that, a day for Williams' sentencing will be announced.

So far, Williams is the only one of eight facing charges in the incident to accept the prosecutor's offer to drop charges of rioting and assault while pleading guilty to interfering with arrest.

Elijah J.D. Fisher, 19, had originally accepted the plea bargain in September, but on Oct. 26 in front of a New Madrid County judge, Fisher withdrew his guilty plea."When he saw that the prosecutor was asking for prison, he took his plea back," Swingle said.

Fisher does not have any prior convictions, the prosecutor said. A trial for Fisher will be held next month.

Dimitri Bell, 19, was found guilty last Friday in New Madrid of interfering with arrest in the first trial involving the eight men. Because he has prior felony convictions, he faces up to 10 years in prison. Other trials have been scheduled for January and February.

Swingle said that because Williams is on probation for felony stealing, it could have an impact on his sentence.