State Supreme Court judges are weighing arguments about just how far prosecutors can go during the penalty phase of a murder trial. Assistant Public Defender Janet Thompson argued before the Court that emotion took over when the jury recommended Earl Forrest be put to death for three murders in Dent County three years ago. Thompson zeroed in on the testimony of one of the victim’s relatives who told the jury one of her brothers had multiple strokes and another died shortly after their sister’s murder. But Assistant Attorney General Stephanie Morrell disagreed, arguing the prosecutor never crossed the line and directly linked the illness and death to the murder. Forrest shot and killed Michael Wells and Harriett Smith in December of 2002. Dent County Deputy Joann Barnes died of injuries sustained during a firefight at Forrest’s house. The Court has taken the case under consideration.
Higher Ed Chief Applauds MU Decision on Tuition
Missouri’s Higher Education Commissioner is glad the state’s biggest university has decided against locking in tuition rates for students for the four years they attend. The University of Missouri abandoned the idea that had been proposed earlier this year. Commissioner Gregory Fitch says all school are working on keeping down costs to students. But Fitch says the idea of locking in tuition for four years just wasn’t a good idea this time.
Unions Sue Over Workers’ Comp Law
A coalition of labor unions has launched a lawsuit over Missouri’s workers’ compensation law passed this year by the General Assembly and signed by Governor Matt Blunt. More than 70 labor organizations claim the workers’ compensation law is a bad law which violates the U.S. and State Constitutions. Louie Wright, President of a Kansas City local of the International Association of Fire Fighters, says the law denies workers due process under the State Constitution and violates the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution by diminishing workers’ rights to the 1926 no-fault Workers Compensation Act remedy that replaced their right to sue employers. The plaintiffs claim the law shifts the costs of workplace injuries to the employees. The Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which supports the workers’ comp law, maintains the legislation fixed much of what was broken with the system. Chamber President Dan Mehan claims the suit is ridiculous, and based only on the fact the unions didn’t like the bill. Mike Grote, the Chamber’s Vice President of Governmental Affairs, says this is a case of sour grapes in which the unions are disappointed with a legislative outcome.
MU Tops UMKC
The first game ever between the Missouri Tigers (2-1) and UMKC (2-1) Kangaroos may have left some wondering whether or not there should be a rematch. The two teams had trouble holding on to the ball and making shots, in a 60-42 win for the Tigers.
MU took a 24-15 lead into the locker room at half time. The Tigers out-shot the Kangaroos, hitting 26.1 percent of their shots. UMKC countered with a 17.2 percent performance from the field in the first 20 minutes. Both teams had four assists apiece at the half. MU turned the ball over 11 times and finished with 20 turnovers. UMKC had eight at the half and 14 for the game.
UMKC made their most threatening effort to come back early on in the second half when Dee Ayuba scored on a lay up and later hit a free throw, to cut the Tiger lead to 24-18. The Tigers then went on a 27-7 run to put the ‘Roos away.
Thomas Gardner led the way in scoring for the Tigers with 17 points and had a team-high 12 rebounds.
The much-touted guard combo of Tim Blackwell and Quinton Day were stifled on Tuesday. They were a combined 5-of-24 shooting. Blackwell finished with 10 points, Day had seven. UMKC’s leading scorer was Dee Ayuba, who had 11 points and 12 rebounds.
Nunez Signs With Phillies
The Cardinals most effective bench player in 2005 will not be back in 2006. Infielder Abraham Nunez has signed a two-year agreement with the Phillies. Nunez became the regular third baseman for St. Louis after Scott Rolen went on the injured reserve with a shoulder injury. Nunez hit appeared in 139 games last season, hitting .285, with five home runs and 44 RBI’s
Nunez, who broke into the major leagues in 1997, came to the Cardinals as a free agent last year, after spending his entire career in Pittsburgh. He became the second Cardinal bench player in as many days to sign with another club. On Monday, John Mabry agreed in principle to a one-year offer from the Cubs.
