The Daily Journal from Flat River, Missouri • 1

On? of the Missouri House committee chairmen lashed out at Speaker of the House Bob Griffin over his power. See page 3. President Clinton, trying to put Whitewater behind him, is talking about a program for jobs in the nation. See page 4, 21t7 1 '1794 rr I i I SOCIETY 1G2u 37 Monday, trch 14, Vcl. G4, Itx C2 St.

Francois County, Mo. Single Copy Price: 35' (Includes Sales Tax) lopes givem 189 years By Tracy Santhuff five-day trial that ended Feb. 4, If (it capacity as a servant of God exploited the victim's weaknesses, and violated the trust bestowed on him. During the prosecution's recommendation, Stevenson noted a presentence investigation concluded Jones had no remorse. Prior Jones told Pratte he did not meet with the sentencing investigator based on the recommendation of his attorney.

"Scholars tell us rehabilitation is another reason to punish. You cannot rehabilitate until you admit that you're wrong," Stevenson said. "I think the only fitting punishment is 189 years It took a lot of courage for the boys to come forward, courage for jury to reach the decision it did I think it's up to us to muster up the same courage," Stevenson said. Defense Attorney Richard Sindel asked the judge to consider the fact that no physical force was used. "That does not diminish the acts committed," Sindel said.

Sindel asked probation be granted, and that no fines be levied because Jones has no income. Sindel noted the fines would have to be paid by Jones' wife. "The only person who pays that fine is Karen Jones, that's money she needs to raise her son," Sindel said. The defense attorney also pointed out positive work Jones has done in the past, like his work with the homeless, and asked the judge to take that into consideration when drafting the sentence. "I would ask the court to consider and allow him to have some future," Sindel said.

Following the sentencing, Stevenson said Jones will probably only serve 15 percent of the sentence which comes to little more than 28 years. Jones told the Pratte he will seek an appeal. Pratte accepted a motion by defense attorneys Sindel and Cynthia Holmes to be removed as (See JONES, page 2) Jones sexually assaulted two, then 15-year-old, boys three years ago while serving as the pastor of the Family Life Church in Park Hills. Pratte said anyone who violates, the trust of their position as a member of the clergy, and exploits the weaknesses of others, should be punished. The judge also said the maximum sentence sends a message to others who may commit similar assaults.

"I believe this jury has spoken, and I have spoken," Pratte told Jones. Prosecutor Gary Stevenson asked the court to impose the the maximum sentence. He said a maximum sentence would serve as a deterrent "I believe their (the jury's) recommendation of a maximum on every count is what we should give him as well," the prosecutor said. Stevenson said Jones in his DaUy Journal Staff Writer A former Park Hills minister found guilty of 27 counts of first-degree deviate sexual assault last month was sentenced today to 189 years in prison Rev. Richard L.

Jones, formerly of rural Bonne Terre, was given the maximum sentence of seven years on each guilty verdict by Division II Judge Kenneth Pratte. The judge ordered those sentences to be carried out consecutively for a maximum of 189 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections. The judge also imposed a $2,500 fine on three of the guilty verdicts totaling $7,500. The 30-year-old Jones, dressed in a bright orange jail uniform, kept his head bowed as Pratte read his decision. Pratte' sentence was based on the recommendation of a jury that found Jones guilty on 27 of 29 counts of sexual assault following a Rev.

Richard Jones, found guilty on 27 counts of first degree deviate sexual assault, is being led by Deputy Robby Martin from the SL Francois County Jail to the Courthouse for sentencing which took place this morning. SUfT Photo by Tracy Santhuff Quick trip tip Sites for Riverboat gambling Mingo wildlife offers activities St Joseph and Buchanan County I Riverside pvTKansae City St Charles Mrraiv promus Station Casinos Maryland Heights Promts Player's SL Joseph Riverboat Fanners St. Louis-Riverside Sonhshort Gaming SL Louis-Downtown President Casino Argosy Gateway Casino passports, good one year from the purchase date, are $25 and are valid at all federal recreation areas. Golden age passports, for persons 62 years of age or older, may be obtained from $10 and are good for life. Golden access passports are free to handicapped individuals.

Daily permits, $3 per vehicle, may be purchased at refuge entrances. The 1993-94 federal duck stamp costs $15 and is valid through Jtane 30 of this year. Money collected through the sale of federal duck stamps goes directly toward the purchase of wetlands and waterfowl habitats. Mingo is just one of many National Wildlife Refuges purchased with duck stamp funds. In addition to benefitting waterfowl, wetlands provide a habitat for many fish and wildlife species, as well as excellent outdoor recreation opportunities.

Jefferson County Lady Luck able to purchase at the visitor center through the Midwest Interpretive Association, a non-profit organization. All persons are admitted free to the visitor center. The Mingo National Wildlife Refuge is located between Wap-papello and Puxico. To get there from St. Francois County, take Highway 67 south to Highway 172.

From there, take Route south to Route KK, then follow Route KK east to Route and Highway 51. Entrance fees are charged on the Mingo National Wildlife Refuge from March 15 through Nov. 30. Visitors are required to obtain one entrance fee permit for each vehicle entering the refuge. Seasonal permits, such as the federal duck stamp and golden passports, may be obtained at the visitor center.

Golden eagle The arrival of spring signals the return of many recreational opportunities for visitors at Mingo National Wildlife Refuge. Beginning Tuesday, the entire refuge opens to fishing, hiking, photography and wildlife observation. Visitors are permitted on the refuge from one hour before sunrise until one half-hour after sunset. Check maps and regulations posted at refuge entrances and available at the visitor center for specific areas. The Mingo Visitor Center reopens on weekends beginning Saturday.

Visitor center hours will be 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday. The center houses wildlife, archaeological and geological displays, interpretive dioramas and slide presentations. Wildlife tee-shirts, books and posters are avail SL Genevieve WSR Corp.

Cape Girardeau The Boyd Group Caruthersville Aztar Columbia Sussex Jefferson City Becker Gaming ParWviUe I Kansas Cty I I Kansas City I I Randolph I I Sugar Creek Boonville Sahara Jackson County Clay County ETT Ltd Griffith Cammg Gold River 1 Hilton, Hyatt The Boyd Group Gamma Intl Two Ironton residents killed in Sunday crash Prepared by Missouri Riverboat Gambling Association 'Riverboat vote II Voters hold the cards on future of riverboat gambling in Missouri By Roger Forsytbe by an on-coming car on a county road near Ashland. Noneka L. Bramlett, 29, of SL Louis, was killed Saturday night in a crash on Interstate 270 in SL Louis County. The patrol said the car she was driving left the road and hit the median wall, overturned and was struck by a second vehicle. Sean A.

Cahill. 24, of Independence, was killed early Sunday in Jackson County. The patrol said the car he was driving crossed the center line on a Missouri 291 bridge and collided with a pick up truck. Benjamin Demond, 63, of Osage Beach was killed Saturday in Miller County. The patrol said he was passing another car on U.S.

54 when his car left the road, hit a rock embankment and overturned. Finally, Clayton E. Shaffer, 15, of rural Rolla was killed Friday night in Dent County. The patrol said the pick up truck driven by his brother, Richard, 18, left a county road just west of Anutt and struck a tree. The state patrol states that the vehicle then came back on the roadway and left the north side of the road, where it overturned, coming to rest on its top.

Ruble sustained "minor" injuries in the 3:30 a.m. accident He was transported by county ambulance to Parkland Health Center. Elsewhere in the state, two Independence residents were killed in an accident which occurred while they were riding a motorcycle. Police said the accident occurred when the driver of a pickup truck tried to pass another vehicle and collided head on with the motorcycle on north bound Missouri 291 and U.S. 24, located on the east side of Independence.

The victims were identified as Terri Casey. 33, and Thomas S. Cloe, 46. In Boone County late Saturday, Todd Phillips, 27, of Ashland was killed after being struck by a car. The patrol said Phillips had fallen off another vehicle and was struck By The Daily Journal and The Associated Press Two Ironton residents were listed among the nine persons killed in weekend accidents on Missouri roads, the Missouri State Highway Patrol said this morning.

According to the highway patrol, Adrian Buckey, 88, and Grace Buckey, 83, both of Ironton, were killed Sunday afternoon in Ironton when their vehicle pulled into an intersection and was struck by another car. Two people in the other car were injured Locally, a 22-year-old Bismarck man sustained "minor" injuries early Sunday morning as the result of a one-vehicle accident, the state patrol reports indicated. The highway patrol reports that Jeffery L. Ruble, 22, of Bismarck was operating a vehicle south bound on Route BB, just north of Route in Sl Francois County when the vehicle was driven off the west side of the roadway on a curve. constitutionality of riverboat gambling on Missouri waterways.

In January, the Missouri Supreme Court invalidated key sections of the law and raised legal questions concerning other sections. More specifically, this post-election ruling "disallowed" games of chance and such games of skill as poker and blackjack. It also questioned the legality of games such as slot machines, roulette and craps. In order to satisfy the points raised by this court ruling, the Missouri General Assembly has again niarwl the Question of riverboat gambling on a state wide ballot If approved, the new amendment would iri'e rivntaat cambline industry to OllVft lllWM. I.

nmmvt nlsnrwA A Gamine Commission has already been tah1itfil to oversee riverboat rambling in the state. Daily Journal Staff Writer If the bets now being called in on April's riverboat gambling issue seem akin to deja vu, the odds would be in your favor. Missouri and St. Francois County have played this hand before. In November 1992, riverboat gambling came up a winner at the polls, with the state and local percentages running virtually neck and neck.

In St. Francois County, for example, what was then called Proposition A drew 10,677 "yes" votes (60 percent) and only 7,105 "no" votes (40 percent). The state-wide ratio at that time stood at 63 percent of the registered voters casting their ballots in support of the measure, and 37 percent marking their ballots against it. Proposition A made legal bets of up to $5 and established loss limits at $500 per person, per riverboat excursion. In addition, no boats could be decked without voter approval.

Then, as now, groups have already expressed their support or opposition to the games. While a tourism coalition has been formed to help ensure the passage of Amendment 3 on April 5, some religious and social organizations have called for the "repeal" of the original referendum. According to the approved ballot. Amendment 3 calls for the authorization of gambling permits "only upon the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers lotteries (and other) games of skill or chance to be conducted on excursion boats and floating facilities." A simple The commission has already adopted rules and regulations for license applicants. Four applicants are nnntlv twin? revKwed for state licenses.

Un until earlv this Year, a number of riverboat rs linns had been working toward an early spring nrvnini? date. Since the measure was again placed on Index the ballot, and the fate again in limbo, work has been halted or at least slowed down until after the election results have come in. Inside Should Amendment 3 receive the support of a majority of registered voters, the new amendment would become effective 30 days after its passage. This means that the Missouri Gaming Commission miH tvirin crrantint licenses bv early May. Motion date for Blackwell Motions in the Anna Jean Black-well case will heard at 9 a.m., April 11, in the Division I Associate Circuit Court in the SL Francois County Courthouse.

That decision was made Friday by Judge Stan Murphy. The trial date will be set at that officials say. Blackwell was arrested Dc 17 on a grand jury indictment Th wife of Bonne Terre councilmj and former city manager Gayle Black-. wtll, Mrs. Blackwell wzs suspended from her job as Bonne Terr water (Set BLACKWELL, page 2) Outside JUST LIKE SPRING Today.

mostly sunny and warmer. High Pg.6 around 70. Tonight, partly Pg.8 cloudy. Low 40 to 45. Tuesday.

Pg.8 partly sunny. High near 60. Pg.8 LOOKING AHEAD Wednes- Pg.2 day through Friday, clear to part- Pg.7 ly cloudy. Warm days with the Pg.2 highs from the mid-60s to mid-70s. Lows in the 40s.

Comics Dear Abby Dr. Goa Mqviei Locally, applicants have filed for riverboat gambling operations at Ste. Genevirve (WSR Corporation). Jefferson County (Lady Luck) and Cape GmuDt Four apolicantj have filed -TTQjority-is iwedaiiw approval. i Obituaries.

frr Amirwn ct riverside SL Louis sites: President Sports Stocks Casino, Argosy. Gateway Casino and Northshore It wasn until alter Missouri vouas my first state referendum, that legal technicalities were discovered. Shortly thereafter, the Missouri General Assembly passed and Gov. Mel Carnahan signed changes in the referendum law. In May 1993.

a lawsuit was filed challenging the Gambling. (Set RIVERBOAT, page 2).