Region briefs 10/4/06

Investigators await DNA evidence in shooting

Investigators were waiting on evidence from the scene of a Cape Girardeau shooting that injured two, police said Tuesday. Two men, ages 22 and 28, were shot Sept. 27 in the 300 block of South Hanover Street. Injuries to both men were not considered life-threatening, and at least one has been released from a local hospital. The investigation has been hampered by conflicting statements from some of the witnesses. "We're hoping some of the physical evidence will clear some of that up," police spokesman Jason Selzer said. DNA evidence from a home at 303 S. Hanover St., where the shooting was believed to have begun before spilling into the street, was being processed, according to Selzer. Only a single handgun was believed to be used, but it has not been recovered as of Tuesday, he said. No one has been arrested, and no charges have been filed.

Cape man pleads guilty to property tampering

A man being held on theft and burglary charges pleaded guilty Monday to causing more than $1,000 in damages to the Cape Girardeau County Jail. Before Associate Circuit Judge Gary A. Kamp, William R.D. Porter, 43, of 2920 Perryville Road, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor tampering with property. While being held in an isolation cell for suicide watch, Porter was seen via video camera standing on his bunk while water was flowing from a broken sprinkler head, according to a probable-cause statement. A review of the recorded video showed Porter tampering with the sprinkler head. The water from the sprinkler caused $1,389.58 in damage to an elevator in the sheriff's office, the statement read. Kamp sentenced Porter to five months in jail. He was being held on felony charges connected to the theft of nearly $50,000 in vehicles, antiques and jewelry from a Cape Girardeau County home.

Relatives, teen charged in statutory rape case

Relatives of a 12-year-old girl who had consensual sex with a 17-year-old boy were charged this week with endangering the welfare of a child. Tyler A. Figliolo, 17, of Cape Girardeau, was charged with statutory rape and two counts of statutory sodomy for having sex with the 12-year-old girl. While the sex between the two was consensual, it was still a crime due to the girl's age, officials said. In connection to sexual relationship, Valenta Young, 51, and Amanda Olivo, 32, both of Cape Girardeau, were charged with misdemeanor endangering the welfare of a child. Both women were issued summonses. Figliolo had bond set at $15,000.

Two people charged with three burglaries

BENTON, Mo. -- Two East Prairie, Mo., residents were charged Tuesday with three September daytime burglaries. Dewey C. Johnston, 33, and Cassandra P. Winters, 24, were charged with burglary and stealing. Bond was set at $50,000 for Johnston and at $25,000 for Winters. Johnston is accused of breaking into the homes while Winters stayed in the car, keeping in touch with a two-way radio, according to a news release from the Scott County Sheriff's Department. Most of the items stolen, amounting to more than $10,000, have been recovered from local pawnshops and other locations, the release stated. In addition, Johnston attempted to assault a sheriff's deputy at the Scott County Jail and was Tasered.

Red Cross issues plea for blood donations

The American Red Cross issued a plea Tuesday to all eligible blood donors to help replenish a deplete blood supply. Representatives at Barnes-Jewish Hospital are in need of 100 units of O positive and 15 units of O negative blood for two separate aneurysm patients, according to a release from the Red Cross. A blood drive will be held from 8 a.m. to noon today at Chateau Girardeau, 3120 Independence St. A drive will be held at Perryville Middle School from 2 to 7 p.m. Thursday, the release stated. From 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Oct. 11, Saint Francis Medical Center will hold a drive. Cape Bible Chapel, 2911 Kage Road, will hold a drive from 3 to 7 p.m. Oct. 18. Finally, Southeast Missouri Hospital will hold a drive from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 19.

-- From staff reports