Susan Smith-Harmon
MO lawmakers consider amendment to ease prosecution of child sex offenders
Monday, 18 March 2013 05:47 Published in Local News
Missouri voters may be asked to amend the state Constitution to make prosecuting child sex offenders easier.
A 2007 Missouri Supreme Court ruling had banned prosecutors in child sex abuse cases from using "propensity evidence," which is often used to show a suspect has a proclivity to do the alleged crime. The ruling made Missouri the most restrictive state in the nation by banning such evidence as prior convictions.
Representative John McCaherty, a High Ridge Republican, filed a bill that would allow prosecutors to use prior convictions, along with findings by the state Children's Services Division indicating that sexual abuse of a child did occur, even if there were no charges filed.
The measure has already cleared the House and is now in the hands of the Senate.
A 2007 Missouri Supreme Court ruling had banned prosecutors in child sex abuse cases from using "propensity evidence," which is often used to show a suspect has a proclivity to do the alleged crime. The ruling made Missouri the most restrictive state in the nation by banning such evidence as prior convictions.
Representative John McCaherty, a High Ridge Republican, filed a bill that would allow prosecutors to use prior convictions, along with findings by the state Children's Services Division indicating that sexual abuse of a child did occur, even if there were no charges filed.
The measure has already cleared the House and is now in the hands of the Senate.
A group of metro-east high school students will vie for the national title in the U.S. FIRST Robotics competition. Team 1208 from O'Fallon Township High School took first place in the weekend competition, along with its alliance partners Teams 3284 and 2408.
More than 40 teams from Missouri and four surrounding states participated in the event at the Chaifetz Arena.
The national championship competition will be held at the Edward Jones Dome in April.
This is the 24th year for the contest which is aimed at encouraging young people to be science and technology leaders.
More than 40 teams from Missouri and four surrounding states participated in the event at the Chaifetz Arena.
The national championship competition will be held at the Edward Jones Dome in April.
This is the 24th year for the contest which is aimed at encouraging young people to be science and technology leaders.
Crews haven't finished building it, but there's already been a crash on the New Mississippi River Bridge.
It happened about 2:00 Monday morning, when a pickup truck struck an car on Rte 3 in Brooklyn, Illinois. The truck pushed the car onto the bridge.
One passenger in the car was partially ejected. Both that passenger and the driver were taken to the hospital with serious injuries.
Police are now looking for the pickup driver. He reportedly stuck around long enough to flag down another motorist for help, then took off.
It happened about 2:00 Monday morning, when a pickup truck struck an car on Rte 3 in Brooklyn, Illinois. The truck pushed the car onto the bridge.
One passenger in the car was partially ejected. Both that passenger and the driver were taken to the hospital with serious injuries.
Police are now looking for the pickup driver. He reportedly stuck around long enough to flag down another motorist for help, then took off.
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