Scott County to pick new prosecutor

BENTON, Mo. -- Paul Boyd filed for the job when his boss, Scott County Prosecuting Attorney Cristy Baker-Neel, decided not to run for re-election this year. So did Frank Marshall, a Sikeston, Mo., lawyer Baker-Neel defeated in the 1994 primary.

Boyd hopes voters compare the candidates' experience working with law enforcement. Marshall says people are ready for a complete change in the prosecutor's office, which has been criticized for letting the attorney general's office handle Scott County's homicide cases and for some of the reduced pleas Baker-Neel has negotiated.

During the campaign, Boyd has reiterated that he is not afraid of the courtroom. He has conducted 30 trials in the past 10 years, compiling a 25-5 record, he said.

Donna McGregor, an administrative assistant for the city of Scott City, said she supports Boyd in the election.

"Mainly because of his experience," she said.

McGregor said there is dissatisfaction with the prosecutor's office in the county.

"There could have been a better job done by the prosecuting attorney," she said. But she does not blame Boyd for that performance.

Shirley LaFont, a yoga teacher who recently moved to Sikeston, plans to vote for Marshall, but not because of any disappointment with the prosecutor's office.

"I heard that he is somebody who is very honest and does the right thing in spite of whether it's popular," she said.

First time

Whoever wins Tuesday's primary election will become Scott County's first-ever full-time prosecuting attorney. No Republican filed for the job.

Boyd has been an assistant prosecutor for Scott County since 1996 while also working throughout the Bootheel between 1997 and 2001 as a roving prosecutor working on methamphetamine cases.

As a drug prosecutor, Boyd closed out more than 300 cases and had a 94 percent conviction rate. He also has experience as a district public defender and assistant attorney general.

Boyd, who has been practicing criminal law for the past 10 years, says experience is the primary issue in this election.

"I am giving people experienced prosecution and a strong law enforcement atmosphere," he said.

Marshall was the Democratic Party's recommendation to replace David Dolan in the prosecutor's office when Dolan was appointed to the circuit court in 1992. Then-Gov. John Ashcroft chose Baker-Neel instead. Two years later, she defeated Marshall in an election by 800 votes. Baker-Neel had no opposition in 1996.

Marshall is a part-time municipal judge who has had his own law practice for 20 years.

Boyd is part of an organization Scott County residents are dissatisfied with, Marshall says.

"I think we can do better in the prosecutor's office. I don't think anybody has been happy with the prosecutor's office as a whole."

He cited some of the purported criticisms. "A lot of people feel like they are not tough enough... and small businesses are unhappy with the way they have handled bad checks."

He also alleges the county lags behind in prosecution of people who abuse and neglect children. He did not have figures to back up the charge.

Baker-Neel has complained that the work load is too great for the staffing. Boyd concurs.

"Our caseload is as high as Cape's if not greater and we have fewer prosecutors to do the work," he said.

Scott County residents voted last year to make the prosecutor's job full-time in 2003.

Though none of the county's police agencies has made an endorsement, Boyd says he has the support of the law enforcement community.

Marshall emphasizes his Scott County roots -- Boyd originally is from Clinton County and has lived in Scott City, Mo., since 1996 -- and his ability to work with people. "Not only work with them, but communicate with them. I am somebody they can talk to."

He calls himself "a steady hand at the wheel."

sblackwell@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 182