Region digest 01/27/06

Cape man unloads 9 mm handgun by firing it

A Cape Girardeau man cited for firing a handgun in town claimed he did not know how to safely unload the weapon. Police responded to a call of multiple shots fired in the 500 block of South Hanover Street at 2:36 p.m. Wednesday. When they arrived, police questioned Dennis J. Kimble, 21, of 507 S. Hanover St., who told officers he was the one who fired the weapon, Cape Girardeau police Sgt. Barry Hovis said. Kimble claimed that he had just gotten the 9 mm gun and did not know how to unload it, so he discharged the weapon in a safe direction, not knowing that was illegal. Kimble was cited with unlawful use of a weapon and is set to appear in court Feb. 28.

Man flees courthouse after probation hearing

In an effort to avoid a stay in the county jail, a man fled from the Scott County Circuit Court before deputies could place him in custody. Gailon Applewhite, 20, of Sikeston, Mo., had been out on bond when he appeared before Judge William H. Winchester for a probation hearing Wednesday morning. As Applewhite was signing paperwork in the hallway of the courthouse following the judge's revocation of his bond, he bolted from the building, Scott County Sheriff Rick Walter said. Walter said Applewhite was not a danger to the community, though he now faces a worse penalty for fleeing. He has two convictions for felony possession of a controlled substance, one conviction for felony damage to jail property, and a conviction for misdemeanor sexual misconduct.

-- From staff reports