State briefs 1/25/16

Lawyers for murder suspect seek videos

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Attorneys for a southwest Missouri man charged in the death of a 10-year-old girl want copies of evidence they say could help the defendant. Craig Wood is charged with murder, kidnapping, rape, sodomy and armed criminal action in the 2014 death of Hailey Owens. Wood's lawyers have filed a motion seeking video interviews police conducted in 2014 with four students at a school where Wood was a paraprofessional and coach. The motion states two of the students described Wood as "pretty cool" and "super nice." The prosecutor said he doesn't believe he's required to turn over the interviews. A trial is scheduled for Sept. 26 in Greene County, with a jury from Platte County. Prosecutors said they will seek the death penalty if Wood is found guilty.

Rape suspect arrested in Tulsa

TULSA, Okla. -- An anonymous tip led Tulsa police to a man wanted in Missouri on several counts of rape. Police went to a residence Friday after an anonymous caller reported 33-year-old David Bakstad was at the residence. Police said Bakstad was wanted in Newton County, Missouri, on two counts of first-degree rape and two counts of statutory rape. When officers arrived at the home, they met with a woman who said a man was inside. Authorities said when officers contacted the man, he gave them a different name. Police said the man later acknowledged to the officers he was Bakstad. Tulsa County records indicate Bakstad was booked into the county jail and is being held without bond.

Missouri consumer advocate to resign

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Missouri's chief advocate for residential customers in utility regulatory cases is stepping down from the job Feb. 17. Dustin Allison said he's leaving the public counsel's office to take another job closer to his family in St. Louis. He declined to give details, except to say he will be working as a lawyer outside of state government. Allison first was appointed to public counsel by Gov. Jay Nixon in April 2014. He previously served as a counsel to the economic development department and an aide to Nixon. The state public counsel's office represents the interests of residential and small-business customers in cases before the Missouri Public Service Commission, which regulates investor-owned utilities.

Base to reject Missouri licenses

FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. -- Fort Campbell no longer will be able to accept driver's licenses from Minnesota, Illinois, Missouri, New Mexico and Washington as proofs of identity. Fort Campbell spokesman Bob Jenkins said as of Thursday, anyone from those five states or American Samoa who tries to get a pass with a driver's license will be turned away. Visitors from those states will have to use another form of ID, such as a passport, to gain access to the installation. The ban, which pertains to all Department of Defense installations, is a result of the Real ID Act of 2005, a law meant to help authorities detect fake identification after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Jenkins said the new rule could affect families attending Welcome Home ceremonies.

-- From wire reports