News from the South - Missouri News Feed
Public defender’s office draws outrage from Missouri GOP leaders over hiring convicted felon
State Rep. Lane Roberts, a Republican of Joplin, has led the charge against the agency for its employment of David Spears (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications).
Republican leaders of the Missouri House on Tuesday joined the chorus of lawmakers blasting the state public defender’s office for employing a man who was convicted of two felonies in connection to the 2007 rape and murder of his stepdaughter.
In a joint statement issued Tuesday, House Speaker Jon Patterson and other members of the chamber’s GOP leadership wrote that unless the situation is “rectif[ied]…immediately,” they will support efforts to reject Missouri State Public Defender’s entire budget for next year. The organization provides legal representation to indigent Missourians accused of crimes.
The controversy surrounds the employment of a secretary at Missouri State Public Defender system named David Spears.
He worked at the public defender’s office as a clerk typist in Clayton from 2016 to 2019 and returned in 2020 to the West Plains office as an administrative assistant, where he is a current employee.
Last year he made $40,842, according to the state’s public salary database.
Spears is a former client of the Missouri State Public Defender system himself.
Spears pleaded guilty to two felonies in 2012 — the class C felony of endangering the welfare of a child and class D felony of hindering prosecution — in the 2007 case involving the murder of his stepdaughter, Rowan Ford.
He was sentenced to 11 years and released in 2015 on parole.
According to news reports at the time, Spears left Ford at home alone that night to go drinking, and then didn’t cooperate in disclosing the reason for his absence to police.
Spears’ friend, Christopher Collings, who had previously been living with them, was convicted of the rape and murder of Ford, which took place in the small Southwestern Missouri town of Stella. She was 9 years old. Collings was executed for the crime by lethal injection in December.
Initially, prosecutors charged both Spears and Collings with rape and sexual assault of Ford, after both confessed separately. But the charges against Spears were dropped because no physical evidence supported his involvement and Collings insisted he acted alone. An expert witness at trial said Spears’ confession was coerced by police.
We as an agency and, I think, Missouri as a state, believe that people with criminal convictions should be able to be employed, even by the state.
– Mary Fox, director of the Missouri Public Defender’s Office
Spears’ employment has been the target of lawmakers’ outrage for the last several months, after receiving publicity in the wake of Collings’ December execution. One of the arguments Collings’ appellate attorneys made while attempting to halt his execution was that Spears’ confession should have cast doubt on Collings’ conviction.
“The continued employment of David Spears within the Missouri State Public Defender’s Office is a serious lapse in judgment that undermines public trust in our institutions,” House leadership wrote in the joint statement Tuesday.
The letter continues: “While we believe in second chances, there are clear and reasonable limits—especially when it comes to those who have pled guilty to hindering the prosecution of a heinous crime like the murder of Rowan Ford.”
The statement follows a contentious hearing last week in the House Budget Committee, in which lawmakers grilled the director of the state public defense system and threatened to jeopardize its entire budget unless Spears is terminated.
Mary Fox, director of Missouri State Public Defender, declined to comment for this story. In the budget hearing last week, she defended Spears’ employment.
“We all agree it was a horrible case, no question about it, and it caused trauma…and that trauma continues long after the crime,” Fox testified.
“But Mr. Spears, the person who is employed by the public defender system, was not convicted of the murder, was not convicted of the sexual assaults,” Fox said “And in fact, according to the prosecutor at the time, his convictions were for leaving his stepdaughter alone to go drinking with friends and asking a friend to lie to law enforcement about why he left the child alone.”
Spears received the maximum sentence allowable, Fox noted, and he served his time and is off parole.
“We as an agency and, I think, Missouri as a state, believe that people with criminal convictions should be able to be employed, even by the state,” she told lawmakers.
Missouri since 2016 has held a “ban the box” hiring practice in state government, in which state agencies wait until later in the hiring practice to review information about criminal histories. It’s designed to provide second chances to those with criminal histories and help them assimilate back into society.
State Rep. Lane Roberts, a Republican of Joplin, who was a police chief in southwestern Missouri at the time of Ford’s murder, has led the charge against the agency and spoke at the budget hearing last week.
“I’ve heard people say, ‘Well yeah but he’s paid his debt to society, and yeah we want to rehabilitate him,’” Roberts said at the hearing, about Spears.
“Director, I just plain don’t care,” Roberts added. “I don’t care about the reputation of the public defenders. I don’t care that he’s doing a good job. He has not, and will never, pay his debt to Rowan Ford.”
House Budget Committee Chairman Dirk Deaton, a Republican of Noel, devoted all of Thursday’s budget hearing to this issue, putting the agency’s funding for next year in limbo.
“I will say, and I do, I believe people deserve second chances,” Deaton said. “…Not everybody deserves to work for state government, and that would be my firm belief and position. Nobody’s owed a taxpayer job, and a salary, and this is just the worst one of the worst lapses in judgment I have ever seen.”
None of the lawmakers in the budget hearing defended Spears’ employment. State Rep. Raychel Proudie, a Democrat from Ferguson, called his employment “disgusting.”
“I’m shaking, like I’m physically ill, so I’m going to leave after I say this. Let me just say I’m a ‘no’ on this entire [budget] book,” she said, before leaving the room.
Rep. Jeff Vernetti, a Republican of Camdenton, called it the “most ridiculous presentation we’ve heard” before he, too, walked out of the hearing.
The issue of Spears’ employment gained attention late last year.
In December, Roberts, along with 15 current and former state representatives sent a letter to the Missouri State Public Defender Commission calling for Spears’ termination.
“The rationale by which the public defender’s office determined that hiring David Spears was a good idea absolutely defies reason,” Roberts wrote.
The letter states “at the very least he helped Collings dispose of the body” — which Fox disputed in the budget hearing.
The commission, the governing body of the Missouri State Public Defender, is composed of six members, all of whom were appointed by former Gov. Mike Parson.
In a Jan. 16 response letter, the commission said they don’t have the authority to terminate a clerical employee, but that they had developed a new policy in response to the concerns.
The commission developed a new policy surrounding background checks, so that the director and chair of the commission must be consulted when any background check returns a bad report. Additionally, Fox said at the hearing, agency policy was changed to add conflict of interest evaluations in hiring.
The conflict of interest issue in this case is that the public defender’s office was representing Collings at the time Spears was hired, in appellate litigation.
Fox in the House budget hearing said under the new policies, Spears wouldn’t have been eligible for employment when the office was representing Collings.
“If I had been the director at that time and aware of that, that would have been a problem,” Fox said, adding she didn’t become aware until last year.
Deaton and Roberts at the hearing last week said those policy changes are insufficient.
“We called upon you to take this action, and what I got was an explanation of why you can’t do what needs to be done,” Roberts said.
Lawmakers at the hearing continued to forward the argument that Spears helped murder, or cover up the murder of, Ford, which the prosecution at the time dismissed.
“There was no evidence that Mr. Spears took any action to help Collings avoid apprehension and prosecution,” the letter from the public defense commission last month stated.
Roberts and Fox disagreed at the hearing over the facts of the case, particularly whether Spears had led law enforcement to the girl’s body.
In 2012, the prosecutor in the case published a statement regarding the decision to drop murder and sexual assault charges against Spears:
“I am completely aware that the general public is convinced that David Spears was involved. I am also completely aware that the general public wants to see him receive punishment for his alleged involvement,” Barry County prosecuting attorney Johnnie Cox wrote at the time.
“This type of crime should outrage everyone,” Cox wrote. “I was outraged when I first heard about it. However, as a prosecutor I am a minister of justice and must do what the law requires, what the facts require and what fairness and justice require.”
According to a December article in the Joplin Globe, Cox, now a circuit judge, recently stated again that Spears was “absolutely not” responsible for the murder or rape.
Roberts said he would ask Deaton to deny any new budget requests for the agency until Spears is terminated.
“It is a token response,” Roberts said. “…I want to know how you’re going to terminate him, not why you can’t.”
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The post Public defender’s office draws outrage from Missouri GOP leaders over hiring convicted felon appeared first on missouriindependent.com
News from the South - Missouri News Feed
Introducing Busch Stadium’s new foods for the 2025 Cardinals season
SUMMARY: Summarize this content to 100 words: ST. LOUIS – The St. Louis Cardinals are stepping up their food game this season, offering a mix of beloved local spots to national favorites at Busch Stadium. With new additions and revamped concession stands, there’s something to satisfy almost every appetite.
Here’s a brief breakdown of what’s new for this season…
MAYO KETCHUP
Mayo Ketchup, a local Latin food hotspot from St. Louis’ Midtown neighborhood, now has a food stand across the Cardinals’ team store outside left field. Fans can enjoy a variety of international selections like Cuban sandwiches, empanadas, plantains and arepas.
CRUMBL COOKIES
Crumbl Cookies, known for its rotating lineup of gourmet cookies, will make its ballpark debut at Busch Stadium with a stand outside right field. The selections will include milk chocolate chip, chocolate cake batter, peanut butter, and a gameday mystery selection.
INTENTIONAL WOK
Intentional Wok is the new name for a stand formerly known as the Asian Café, serving up a variety of Chinese specialties with several protein options over noodles or rice. It is now served at a food station in centerfield as opposed to a small stand.
OUTFIELD GRILL
The Outfield Grill is a ballpark hot dog vendor with new specialty hot dogs topped with brisket, peppers, or sauerkraut.
FREDDY’S
Freddy’s has expanded to a second station in the stadium, adding a second spot focused on shakes and frozen treats, while its original location continues serving burgers and more dinner-like foods.
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WHAT ELSE TO KNOW
In terms of the concession layout, the biggest change fans will notice is in deep center field, where a concession stand near Ford Plaza has been transformed into a spot with three distinct food stations for Intentional Wok, Outfield Grill, and Freddy’s.
For many leaders of Busch Stadium’s food experience, these changes mark a significant step forward from previous seasons, bringing new excitement and variety to the ballpark food scene.
“Cardinal Nation has an expectation for the players on the field, and they also have an expectation of what they want to eat,” said Norman Taylor Jr., Busch Stadium executive sous chef. “We have to infuse local flavors with all-world style baseball because we are a baseball town and also we want to have cool, creative new things for the younger fans.”
“The cool thing for us is to see people’s reactions to the food because it does match baseball,” said Mayo Ketchup owner Mandy Estrella. “I’m super excited for my staff. They’re all from Latin America, so they’re all huge baseball fans. We’re very excited for them to see the fans excited about the food. They spend so much time making it, so it will be very cool to see people and have them excited for what they’re making.”
“Being called by the St. Louis Cardinals and asked to join forces for this season has been amazing,” said Melissa Bohlmann, Crumbl Cookies franchise owner. “We will be the first franchise in a major league stadium, and we’re really excited about it. We’ve got a lot of interest in what we’re going to serve, and we’re excited to release those cookies on Opening Day.”
“We have a great food experience,” said Taylor. “We have everything you want at a baseball game. There’s a reason they call this baseball heaven. When you have the fans come and say this is the best of this, or we’re so happy you had this, it’s one of the best feelings in the world.”
Opening Day is set for Thursday against the Minnesota Twins. First pitch is set for 3:15 p.m. To check on tickets still available for Opening Day, click here.
The post Introducing Busch Stadium's new foods for the 2025 Cardinals season appeared first on fox2now.com
News from the South - Missouri News Feed
New tornado sirens in rural Jefferson County will be synched with National Weather Service
SUMMARY: Jefferson County is upgrading its tornado warning system by installing 101 new outdoor sirens synced with the National Weather Service. This initiative follows a recent tornado that impacted areas without sirens. The new installations will be guided by population density and strategically placed in neighborhoods with higher populations. The system will automatically activate sirens only in the affected areas, reducing confusion during tornado warnings. The project is expected to be completed by next spring, improving community safety by ensuring timely alerts for residents in outdoor spaces, while emphasizing the need for additional indoor warning methods.
When a tornado rolled through Jefferson County on March 14, many residents were able to get to safety. And while the outdoor warning system sounded in the city of Arnold, much of the tornado’s path was in areas of the county that don’t have sirens. But that’s all about to change.
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News from the South - Missouri News Feed
Support grows for homeschooled athletes bill in 12th year in Missouri legislature
by Annelise Hanshaw, Missouri Independent
March 24, 2025
A bill that would require public schools to offer extracurricular activities to local homeschooled students is gaining traction after more than a decade of consideration by Missouri lawmakers.
High school senior Lydia Meredith, whose family annually drives from Joplin to testify in favor of the bill, told the Senate Education Committee in February it was her fourth time asking for them to pass the legislation.
Meredith was part of a competitive swimming team growing up and enjoyed racing with her friends. But when they reached high school, her friends joined the team at their public school. Meredith, who is homeschooled, was left behind.
“Before me came other Missouri students asking to be given the same opportunity to play for local sports teams, to join band or join a local debate team,” she said. “Every year this bill is not passed is another year the Missouri Legislature is complicit in denying key educational experiences for students.”
She said it was time for senators “to see this bill through to the end.”
For years, legislation seeking to give homeschooled students access to activities in public schools has been filed in Missouri. Most legislative sessions, the bill is passed by a committee but surpassed by other education priorities and never makes it to discussion by either legislative chamber.
The proposal was first offered in 2014, under then-Rep. Elijah Haahr, a Springfield Republican and homeschooled student who later became Missouri House speaker. The legislation didn’t make it to the House or Senate floor until 2021. The chamber gave its initial approval to the bill but never passed it to the Senate.
In 2023, the bill had its longest run, making it into a larger education package that passed the Senate with only two opposed and clearing a House committee late in session.
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This year, the Senate in February unanimously passed a bill sponsored by Republican Sen. Ben Brown of Washington, and House leadership referred the bill to its education committee over legislative spring break. This is the fastest the legislation has passed its originating chamber.
The bill has also garnered approval by former critics.
State Sen. Maggie Nurrenbern, a Kansas City Democrat, voted against the legislation in prior years but said during the Senate debate that she had changed her mind after hearing from homeschooling families.
“I really see the benefit of having students, and the more the merrier, be able to participate in activities,” she said.
Nurrenbern previously worried that public school and homeschool students could be held to different standards and access the same privileges.
A school counselor had those concerns in the committee hearing. Other opposition came from a homeschooling group called Family Covenant Ministries, which has concerns about applying the state’s homeschooling law to public activities.
Home educators in Missouri have been split over the years about bills that would expand opportunities for homeschoolers but connect them closer to state government. Some say it could open them up for more state oversight of homeschoolers, of which Missouri has very little.
In a large education package passed last year, lawmakers created a new category of homeschool called family-paced education. This group would be able to take advantage of the state’s education tax-credit program while allowing those wary of governmental intrusion to have separation in state law.
David Klarich, a lobbyist for Family Covenant Ministries, said Brown’s bill should only apply to family-paced education.
Another homeschooling organization, Families for Home Education, spoke in favor of the bill — not because of the extracurricular activities but for a provision that often evades discussion.
The bill seeks to remove a part of state law that describes a declaration of intent to homeschool. The declaration is optional and is intended to reduce truancy investigations.
Kim Quon, a director for Families for Home Education, said the law has had “the opposite effect.” Some families who have sent a letter of their intent to homeschool have reported the district did not remove their children from enrollment records.
“It has spurred many unnecessary discussions and investigations,” she said.
The organization has otherwise taken a neutral stance on the bill’s provisions on student athletes, according to its website.
The bill is one of 28 awaiting a hearing by the House Elementary and Secondary Education committee, of which only two are Senate bills.
Missouri Independent is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Missouri Independent maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Jason Hancock for questions: info@missouriindependent.com.
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