PROSECUTOR KENNY HULSHOF IS HONORED BY BAR

SPRINGFIELD -- Kenny Hulshof, a special prosecutor in the Missouri attorney general's office and a former assistant prosecutor of Cape Girardeau County, was honored recently by the Missouri Bar.

Also honored earlier this month at the 113th meeting of the Missouri Bar in Springfield was Warren Welliver, a former judge of the Missouri Supreme Court.

Hulshof received the Lon O. Hocker Award. Established in 1954 by Mary B. Hocker in memory of her late husband, a noted trial lawyer in St. Louis. The awards are presented annually by the Missouri Bar Foundation to lawyers under the age of 36 who have demonstrated unusual proficiency in the art of trial advocacy.

A native of Bertrand, Hulshof began his law career in 1983 with the Cape Girardeau County Public Defender's Office. Three years later, he went to work as an assistant prosecuting attorney.

He joined the state attorney general's office in 1989.

In his legal career, Hulshof has handled more than 50 felony jury trials in 19 counties. Hulshof, who resides in Columbia, is currently prosecuting 10 death penalty cases, including that of James R. Johnson, an accused mass murderer in Moniteau County.

Welliver received the Spurgeon Smithson Award. Established in 1976 by bequest of the late Smithson, a Kansas City attorney, the awards are presented annually by the Missouri Bar Foundation to state judges, teachers of law and, or, lawyers deemed "to have rendered outstanding service toward the increase and diffusion of justice among men."