State briefs 1/13/04

Three dead of carbon monoxide poisoning

CUBA, Mo. -- A man and two children were found dead in their south-central Missouri home, and authorities suspect carbon monoxide poisoning. Killed were Harry Putnam, 34, and his sons Samuel, 11 and Mathew, 10. Debra Putnam, 30, and the couple's other son, Jacob, 9, were in critical condition at a hospital in St. Louis. Authorities believe a faulty propane gas furnace was to blame. Harry Putnam told relatives on Thursday the entire family was sick from what they thought was the flu. The family was found Saturday when Debra Putnam's mother couldn't get a response at her daughter's trailer home outside of Cuba.

Monett lawyer to serve as legal adviser in Iraq

MONETT, Mo. -- A southwest Missouri lawyer will serve as senior legal adviser in the effort to set up a judicial system in Iraq. Steve Hemphill, 47, of Monett, flew Sunday to Washington, D.C., to begin a journey that was expected to land him in Baghdad by week's end. Hemphill said he will serve as senior legal adviser to the Coalition Provisional Authority. Led by U.S. presidential envoy L. Paul Bremer, the Coalition Provisional Authority has governed Iraq since the ouster of Saddam Hussein last April. Hemphill has traveled, studied and worked in the Middle East, China, Philippines, Central America and Great Britain.

Missouri private jails get prisoners from Iowa

BETHANY, Mo. -- Hoping to house prisoners from Iowa, a group of investors plans to build a jail here, just 20 miles north of another private jail. Polk County, Iowa, which is two hours north of here, has 800 prisoners on an average day and a county jail that holds only 550, according to county jail chief Randy Cross. Private companies can build jails in northern Missouri for a fraction of the price of an Iowa county jail, offering beds to Polk County for less than what officials there could find in their area.

-- From wire reports