Unlicensed cars court case delayed

The case against a Cape Girardeau business owner cited for having dozens of unlicensed cars on his lot was delayed.

Despite repeated court orders, Lester Sample has failed for more than a year to remove the junked cars from his lot at 212 S. Spanish St., where he operates Riverfront Auto.

He appeared Thursday for a probation violation hearing at Cape Girardeau Municipal Court. The hearing was continued to June 26 at 3 p.m., giving Sample another three weeks to move the unlicensed cars.

City prosecutor Reagan Holliday said, "Mr. Sample does have an attorney and the attorney and I are in discussions. And, Mr. Sample indicated to the judge that he was going to remove the cars."

Sample could face up to 90 days in the city jail if he does not comply. Ordinarily, such an offense does not warrant jail time; police can't recall when anyone has ever been jailed over a zoning violation before.

A message left for Sample's attorney, Francis Siebert, was not returned as of late Monday.