TRIAL OPENS FOR CENTRAL DEFENDANT IN JUNE 11 GOOD HOPE INCIDENT

COLUMBIA -- A central figure in the June incident that escalated into a near-riot in the Good Hope area of Cape Girardeau went on trial Tuesday on two felony charges.

Greg Campbell, 36, of Cape Girardeau is charged with assault of a law enforcement officer and resisting arrest.

During opening arguments, the prosecution and defense presented two starkly different explanations of the events that occurred June 11 near the Taste Lounge at 402 Good Hope St.

Cape Girardeau County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Ian Sutherland said Campbell became belligerent with Cape Girardeau policeman Rollin Roberts for no reason, resisted arrest and attacked Roberts, putting the officer in fear for his life.

Defense attorney Steve Wilson of Jackson said Roberts had nearly run down Campbell with his patrol car and became angry when Campbell confronted the officer. Wilson said it was Roberts who attacked Campbell.

"Our belief is Greg Campbell did not assault a police officer with intent to kill or cause serious injury," Wilson said. "He was trying to protect himself. He did not resist arrest because he never was told he was under arrest."

The trial was moved to Boone County on a change of venue. It was supposed to be held in January but was postponed after potential new defense witnesses came forward.

An all-white jury of five women and seven men were selected Tuesday to hear the trial. Campbell is black.

The prosecution presented and rested its case. The defense is expected to conclude presenting evidence today.

The prosecution's case centered on the testimony of seven police officers, including Roberts, who either were involved in the initial altercation with Campbell or in subsequent occurrences.

A crowd of about 150, most of whom were leaving the Taste Lounge when it closed just after 1:30 a.m., had gathered after noticing the altercation. The crowd verbally berated officers and pelted them with rocks and debris, injuring several of the officers.

Wilson had a standing objection to the introduction of evidence and testimony relating the melee and the arrest of Campbell's brother, Kenneth Campbell, who was also accused of assaulting Roberts. Wilson said those incidents were irrelevant to the charges against Greg Campbell.

Boone County Circuit Judge Gene Hamilton overruled Wilson's objections.

The officers' testified that to their knowledge Campbell took no part in throwing rocks at officers and had departed the scene by the time the melee took place.

Only Roberts and one other officer, Brad Smith, testified for the prosecution concerning Campbell's alleged actions. Roberts provided the bulk of the prosecution testimony, spending more than two hours on the stand. Roberts gave this account:

He was on normal patrol when he saw several black males gathered around a vehicle parked in front of the Taste. When the men dispersed and the vehicle slowly pulled away, Roberts, suspecting a drug deal had been taking place, turned his patrol car around and followed. The vehicle circled around the block and ended up back in front of the Taste.

At that time Campbell, driving another vehicle, signaled Roberts to pull over. When Roberts did, Campbell began shouting at him using obscenities and threatening Roberts with violence.

Roberts said he "began to fear for my safety" and sprayed Campbell with Mace but missed his eyes. About that time Smith arrived.

Roberts told Campbell he was under arrest for violating a city noise ordinance for his yelling. Roberts entered a defensive posture and pulled his baton. Blows were exchanged.

Campbell knocked Roberts down with a kick to the chest and began stomping on Roberts' head. Kenneth Campbell arrived and joined his brother in stomping on Roberts. Roberts said he believed the men were trying to kill him.

The Campbells eventually fled. After recovering, Roberts joined in the pursuit and apprehension of Kenneth Campbell in a nearby alley. Roberts believed Greg Campbell had left the scene.

The rest of Roberts' testimony concerned the melee with the crowd, which by this time had gathered.

Under cross examination, Roberts denied almost running down Campbell with his patrol car. "I didn't almost strike anybody," Roberts said.

Roberts said Campbell repeatedly yelled "I know what you did." However, Roberts said he did not know to what Campbell was referring.

Smith testified that when he arrived Roberts had just attempted to spray Mace at Campbell, who then yelled "Why are you doing this to me?"

Smith said he had not observed Campbell break any law or heard Roberts place him under arrest at that time.

Smith said Campbell was more cooperative with him than he had been with Roberts. Smith said the situation turned violent when he attempted to handcuff Campbell. At no time, Smith said, did he or Roberts use a racial slur.

First up for the defense was Shawn Williams of Cape Girardeau. Williams said he was the driver of the vehicle that originally drew Roberts' attention on the night in question.

Williams said he had just gotten off work from his job at a cleaning service and had driven some coworkers to the Taste so they could cash their paychecks. Williams said he was waiting in his vehicle when he noticed an approaching police cruiser. Since Williams was double parked, he decided to circle the block while waiting for his coworkers. The cruiser followed him.

After returning to the Taste, Williams said he parked legally. He had no direct contact with Roberts, Campbell or anyone else involved in the incident that followed. Williams said at no time was a group of black males gathered around his vehicle, as Roberts testified.

Nakia Grimes, a Taste patron and an acquaintance of Campbell's, testified that she took a bloodied Campbell to the hospital shortly after the crowd had gathered. She said no attempt was made to keep them from leaving.

Officer Steve Peterson was the final defense witness of the day. Peterson, who arrived at the scene with Smith, was a rookie officer on his first day in uniform at the time of the incident.

Peterson said he heard Roberts arguing more than Campbell but could not hear what either had to say. While he saw Roberts strike Campbell, Peterson said he didn't see Campbell strike the officer. Peterson also said he did not hear Roberts inform Campbell he was under arrest.

Under cross examination, Sutherland asked Peterson that with Peterson's lack of experience at the time and the tension of the situation, if his recollection of the incident might be faulty.

"There's quite a bit I don't remember very well" about that night, Peterson replied.

If convicted, Campbell faces 10 to 30 years or life in prison on the assault charge and up to one year in the county jail or one to five years in prison and, or a fine of up to $5,000 for resisting arrest.

Marc Powers may be contacted in Jefferson City at (573) 635-4608 or by e-mail at mppowers@socket.net.