TRIAL RE-ENACTMENT BEGINS CELEBRATION

Belle Starr may not have a place in Cape Girardeau's history books, but the legendary outlaw will have her day in court here Saturday at a mock trial.

The mock trial is part of a number of events this weekend kicking off the city's year-long bicentennial celebration.

The celebration also ties in with Southeast Missouri State University's homecoming Saturday, whose theme is "Spirits of the Past." The homecoming parade will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday at Capaha Park and proceed east on Broadway.

A number of entries in the parade are expected to focus on Cape Girardeau's past.

Don Geaschel of Percy, Ill., who portrays a colonial town crier at various historic re-enactments in the region, is scheduled to participate in the parade.

At 10:30 a.m. today, the bicentennial mural by artist Jake Wells will be dedicated at Broadway and Fountain. In case of rain, the ceremony will be held at the Cape River Heritage Museum.

The mural prominently features Cape Girardeau's founder, Louis Lorimier.

Lorimier's great-great-great-great grandson Neal Lorimier of San Diego will attend the mural dedication.

Neal Lorimier recalled growing up in Cape Girardeau.

"I lived here until 1959," he said. "Years ago, I lived on Lorimier Street and was going to Lorimier School."

Lorimier, who has visited Cape Girardeau a number of times since 1959, praised the work that went into creating the mural.

"I think it is quite a tribute to Louis Lorimier."

Saturday's events include a bicentennial celebration on the grounds of St. Vincent's Seminary from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

"After the homecoming parade, we are asking the crowd to come downtown to the bicentennial celebration," said Martha Bender, who heads the city's bicentennial commission.

"We are going to have food and games croquet and horseshoes and an antique car display. We are going to have miniature radio-controlled airplanes," she said.

Also scheduled to be on hand is the "Wake Up to Missouri" hot air balloon.

From 1-3 p.m., there will be tours of Old St. Vincent's Church, the Glenn House, the River Heritage Museum and the Common Pleas Courthouse.

Musical entertainment will be provided at Old St. Vincent's Church. A number of groups, including the Cape Girardeau Central High School Choir, will perform.

The mock trial of Belle Starr will be held at 1 p.m. and again at 2 p.m. in the circuit courtroom in the Common Pleas Courthouse. The courtroom seats about 60 to 70 people. Admission is free.

The cast of the 30-minute play consists of three local attorneys, three members of the criminal justice department faculty at Southeast Missouri State, a Southeast student and a Cape Girardeau police officer.

The trial is set in 1875. "What's interesting about it is the trial is based on an actual trial that occurred before Judge Parker in Fort Smith, Ark.," said Larry Ferrell, an assistant U.S. attorney who plays the role of J. Warren Reed, the defense attorney in the case.

But he concedes a lot of liberties have been taken in the script. Actually, it was Sam Starr, Belle's husband, who was tried in the real train robbery case, said Ferrell.

"We have had some rehearsals but not nearly enough," he observed. "It's so hard to get a group of lawyers and people together."

But Ferrell said he's looking forward to the courtroom theatrics.

David Limbaugh, a city councilman and attorney, will portray W.H.H. Clayton, the prosecuting attorney.

Attorney John Cook is the bailiff, who serves as the play's narrator.

"It's a career improvement," Cook said, tongue in cheek. "Shoot, I get to carry a gun. I've always needed to carry a gun in the courtroom and now I finally do."

Alvin Transeau, a member of the criminal justice faculty at Southeast and a retired Navy lawyer and military judge, will portray Judge Parker.

Carol Veneziano, chairperson of the criminal justice department will depict Belle Starr. Michael Brown, a criminal justice professor, will handle the role of Deputy Bud Ledbetter.

Darryl Spurlock, a sophomore at Southeast and president-elect of the Criminal Justice Association, will step into the role of Sam Starr.

Sgt. Carl Kinnison of the Cape Girardeau police will portray Texas Jack, a train robber who testifies for the prosecution.

"This is definitely a first and probably a last," said Kinnison, joking about his "acting career."

The play was written by Kristie Transeau of Los Angeles, an aspiring actress and daughter of Alvin Transeau.

As a Navy lawyer and judge, Alvin Transeau has handled hundreds of cases. He estimated he has tried about 500 criminal cases and a similar number as a prosecutor and defense counsel.

But, he admitted, he has never handled a trial like that of Belle Starr. "I hope people will get a kick out of it."