Preliminary hearing rescheduled

DailyAmerican Republic

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- It will be Sept. 22 before it is known whether a Poplar Bluff man will stand trial for allegedly raping and murdering a woman whose body was found in the old abandoned Frisco Railroad tunnel near where it runs under Main Street.

Brian Todd Hemphill, 20, appeared briefly before Associate Circuit Judge John Bloodworth Monday afternoon; however, his preliminary hearing was not held at that time.

Hemphill is charged in connection with the death of Cheryl Hesselrode, 45, whose body was found July 20.

Bloodworth reset Hemp-hill's preliminary hearing for 1 p.m. Sept. 22.