Police seek man who tried to help prisoner flee courthouse

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Authorities are searching for a man who assaulted a Butler County Sheriff's deputy during a failed escape attempt Tuesday at the courthouse.

According to the sheriff's department, a recently sentenced inmate tried to flee after a court appearance on the third floor. When she was apprehended on the first floor, her boyfriend placed Deputy Michael Jones in a chokehold in an attempt to free her.

The 36th Judicial Circuit Court has issued a warrant for the boyfriend, Travis D. O'Barr, 24, of the 100 block of Lexington Street, on charges of aiding a felony prisoner's escape and assault on law enforcement.

Butler County prosecutors charged attempted escapee Shekeena M. Liau, 24, of Neelyville, Missouri, with attempted escape from confinement. She is awaiting trail in the Butler County jail in lieu of $50,000 cash only bond.

Liau was in court for a probation violation hearing on an original charge of forgery and a separate charge of manufacturing a controlled substance. After Associate Circuit Court Judge Michael Pritchett sentenced her to 120 days in prison, Liau apparently decided to explore other options.

Shekeena Liau

She and other prisoners were being escorted from the courtroom to the third floor elevator when boyfriend O'Barr made a motion for her to run down the stairs, according to authorities. She proceeded down the stairs, restrained in shackles, but was caught by deputy Michae Jones on the first floor.

"Jones was walking back inmates from the courthouse," said Butler County Lt. Charles Phelps. "When the female came out, her boyfriend was standing at the stairwell. He motioned for her to come toward him, and they headed down the flight of stairs. Some attorneys and other people watched the inmates while Jones chased her."

After Jones apprehended Liau and reached down to grab some paperwork, O'Barr sneaked up behind him and put him in a chokehold in an attempt to break Liau free. Jones delivered some defensive strikes, and O'Barr released his grip and ran.

"O'Barr said, 'That's my girlfriend' and pushed Jones, and Jones grabbed the inmate. When (O'Barr) got Jones in the chokehold, Jones elbowed him to get him off," Phelps said.

O'Barr also is suspected of striking a vehicle as he fled from the courthouse.

Some city charges related to the hit-and-run may be forthcoming, according to the sheriff's department.

"He fled from the scene and struck a vehicle in the parking lot. The city is investigating the accident," Phelps said.

Jones, a reserve deputy corrections officer, did not suffer any apparent injuries in the melee and declined medical treatment. Authorities encourage anyone with information about O'Barr's whereabouts to contact the department.

Liau will appear before Judge John Bloodworth at 9 a.m. today.