Sikeston officials reassign detective facing judicial criticism for handling of murder case

Sikeston city officials have taken away a Sikeston Public Safety Department (DPS) detective's badge and gun and reassigned him to the city's fire division after a judge found the detective was "lacking in candor or competence, or both" in his investigation of a murder.

City officials said they have asked for a federal investigation, but don't know if one will be conducted.

Meanwhile, city manager Jonathan Douglass told the Southeast Missourian editorial board Wednesday he doesn't believe the Sikeston Public safety Department is corrupt.

A judge appointed by the Missouri Supreme Court issued a report in February that recommends the state's high court exonerate David Robinson for Sheila Box's murder and proclaim his innocence.

Robinson is serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole for the 2000 murder of Box in Sikeston.

John Blakely, the lead detective in the case, was criticized by Judge Darrell E. Missey, serving as a special master for the Supreme Court. After hearing testimony, Missey wrote in his report Blakely "is the least credible witness."

He wrote Blakely not only contradicted the testimony of credible witnesses, but also contradicted previous statements he made and gave accounts of events "that seem remarkably unlikely."

Missey wrote that the evidence "reveals a clear pattern of conduct" by Blakely in which put forth "unreliable evidence" against Robinson and "ignored or suppressed facts which pointed away from him."

The judge found Blakely "reached the conclusion that David Robinson should go to prison for the murder of Sheila Box and assembled facts which would support that conclusion while disregarding all other evidence."

Douglass said while Blakely has been reassigned, he remains on the city payroll.

The city manager said Blakely was placed on administrative leave on Feb. 3 after the release of the special master's report. The city manager said Blakely was removed from all law enforcement duties, "no badge, no gun."

At the same time, city officials requested the U.S. Attorney's Office investigate the actions of Blakely in regard to the Robinson investigation. Douglass said he expects the actual investigation would be handled by the FBI rather than federal prosecutors.

But Douglass said he has received no response from federal officials despite repeated inquires into the status of the city's request. He suggested federal officials may be waiting for the Missouri Supreme Court to rule on the Robinson case before acting on the city's request for an investigation.

If there is no federal investigation, city officials will have to decide how to proceed, Douglass said, adding that he and the council want an outside investigation.

"I feel like we need to investigate it because I want people to trust the integrity of our police department," Douglass said. "I don't want their (police officers') integrity and motives questioned because people believe the department has acted inappropriately in other cases."

Blakely investigated cases that came after the Robinson case, the city manager said. "If he made mistakes in the Robinson case, people could question if he made mistakes later on," Douglass said.

But city officials said the department investigates major crimes differently now than in 2000 when Box was murdered.

Sikeston's DPS now participates with officers from other law enforcement agencies in a major case squad, Douglass said.

Jim McMillen, DPS assistant chief, said Blakely handled numerous narcotics investigations. "Someone that is assigned to narcotics cases in a small town quickly develops a reputation for whatever reason."

Criminal offenders often make statements about investigators that "may or may not be true," McMillen said.

Former councilman Michael Harris said, "This was a very unfortunate situation with Robinson. But it is not representative of the whole DPS."

Harris, who is black as is Robinson, said he has known Robinson for years. "I definitely want the situation resolved."

Councilman Jon Gilmore said that "every council member in Sikeston wants the truth to be out there about David Robinson."

But at the same time he said city officials are "all very proud of our police force."

mbliss@semissourian.com

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