state briefs . 4a

New trial ordered in 2000 K.C. road rage death

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- A man convicted in a road-rage killing deserves a new trial because his defense attorney was ineffective, the Missouri Court of Appeals has ruled. James L. Peterson, 29, was sentenced to life plus 30 years after a Jackson County jury convicted him three years ago of second-degree murder and armed criminal action. Peterson was accused of shooting Floyd Edwards on June 3, 2000, after a pickup truck in which Peterson was riding was forced to stop behind Edwards' car on a street in eastern Kansas City.

One dead, one injured after two-car accident

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- A Marble Hill man was killed and a Patton, Mo., woman injured in a two-car accident on Highway 34, three miles east of Marble Hill at 5:50 p.m. Tuesday. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the accident occurred when a 1993 Ford Escort driven by Michael Douglas, 33, ran off the right side of the road. Douglas overcorrected and his car slid into the path of a 1978 Chevrolet Caprice driven by Brandie Gray, 27, of Patton. Bollinger County Coroner Charles Hutchings pronounced Douglas dead at the scene at 6:47 p.m. Gray was taken by ambulance to Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

Humane Society outlines euthanasia procedures

ST. LOUIS -- The Humane Society of Missouri has clarified its procedures after reports of a few animals euthanized less than 24 hours after they were admitted to the organization's care. Now, animals deemed unadoptable for behavioral reasons will be evaluated by two animal health or behavior specialists before they are euthanized, officials with the St. Louis-based Humane Society said. If the animal has medical problems, one of those two people will be a veterinarian. The organization said it is also making sure employees know of its 24-hour minimum holding period before an animal is put down.

Scott County combines duties to create new job

BENTON, Mo. -- With the new year, a new position will open up at the Scott County Courthouse. Commissioners confirmed during the regular county commission meeting Tuesday that Jim Schwaninger has resigned from the position of county economic developer effective Nov. 19. Commissioners plan to combine into one position the grant-writing functions formerly performed by the county economic developer with geographic information system duties and development and maintenance of the county Web site.

-- From staff, wire reports