Three face separate sexual assault trials

The three members of a Marble Hill, Mo., church accused of sexually assaulting a mentally retarded woman were each granted a change of venue Friday when Circuit Court Judge John Heisserer severed their cases.

Frank Burgess, 44, Bruce Johnson, 45, and Hurley Dixon, 68, face charges of first-degree sexual assault and deviate sexual assault. Investigators say they had sex with the woman, 23, at their homes and the Marble Hill Chapel. She reportedly has the mental capacity of a 5-year-old child.

Burgess now faces trial in St. Francois County, Johnson in New Madrid County, and Dixon in Scott County.