Trial of former lawyer accused of stealing pushed back to September

Former Cape Girardeau and Jackson lawyer Joe T. Buerkle, charged with felony theft in December 2009, will wait another four months before his case will proceed in court.

Associate Circuit Court Judge Stephen R. Mitchell, assigned to preside over the case Jan. 29, ordered Buerkle's jury trial be reset and begin Sept. 1 at the Cape Girardeau County Courthouse. It was originally scheduled for May 25 at the Common Pleas Courthouse.

Buerkle, 58, is accused of stealing more than $300,000 from a trust fund account belonging to the late Donald Thomasson. Thomasson's daughter, Lane Thomasson, 27, is the primary beneficiary of the account, which Buerkle was managing at the time.

Buerkle pleaded not guilty to the charges Feb. 24.

Stephen Wilson, Buerkle's attorney, said the date has been changed to accommodate the schedule of Thomasson, who lives in London.

"She's here for some event; it's been moved to convenience her," he said.

While managing the account and serving as an attorney for Thomasson's trust, Buerkle allegedly deposited 34 checks into his own bank account. Seventeen checks were payable to other parties, including the Buerkle Law Firm, the J.B. Firm and the Limbaugh Firm, according to court documents.

Buerkle became affiliated with the Limbaugh Firm in 2006, after practicing in Jackson.

According to a probable-cause statement filed in the case, the transactions occurred between December 2005 and December 2007.

Buerkle reported his actions to the Office of the Chief Disciplinary Counsel and surrendered his license Aug. 6. By surrendering his license to practice law in the state, Buerkle admitted his actions violated rules members of the Missouri Bar are sworn to uphold.

ehevern@semissourian.com

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