Forum Flashbacks: Dec. 19-25

FORUM FILE PHOTO
Nodaway County Sheriff Ben Espey (center) spoke to a throng of reporters at the sheriff’s department in Maryville on Friday to announce information on the investigation into the killer of Bobbie Jo Stinnett and the abductor of the eight-month-old fetus she was carrying. Lisa Montgomery of Melvern, Kansas, was later arrested and charged with the crime.

25 years ago

• In a surprise move, Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon announced last night his office has filed an amended charge of first-degree murder against William Taylor, 37, rural Maryville, in the death of his wife in a Nov. 10 incident.
  “After reviewing the facts of this case, we believe there is enough evidence of deliberation to recharge Mr. Taylor with first-degree murder,” Nixon said in a press release issued late last night.
  The move comes nearly two weeks after Taylor’s arraignment was continued to allow the prosecution more time to examine evidence in the case.
• A woman who had hoped to become a Maryville Public Safety officer has sued the city for an unspecified dollar amount, claiming she was overlooked for the position because of her sex.
  City officials were served with a summons yesterday which claims public safety officials did not grant an interview to Malisa Wacker when she applied for a position with the department in 1992 although Wacker was qualified for the job — a violation of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The suit seeks financial compensation for lost wages and humiliation as well as legal fees. The suit also seeks a written apology from the city.
  According to legal documents, Wacker filed an application with the city for employment as a public safety officer on Aug. 19, 1992, but was not granted an interview. The city eventually hired a male public safety officer who no longer works for the department and who is described in the lawsuit as having “no experience or training for the position.”
  Wacker, however, according to the lawsuit was working for the Topeka, Kan., Police Department when she applied for the position here and had received firefighting and hazardous materials training.

15 years ago

• Twenty-three hours after a pregnant Skidmore woman was murdered, the baby girl that was believed to have been cut from her womb was recovered in a home in Kansas.
  The baby was reportedly in good condition Friday, and the alleged abductor was arrested. DNA tests results on the baby had not yet been received Friday night, but investigators indicated they were sure the baby recovered was the one they were seeking.
  Lisa M. Montgomery, 36, of Melvern, Kan., was arrested and charged with felony kidnapping resulting in a death for murdering Bobbie Jo Stinnett and stealing the eight-month-old fetus from her womb. The charge carries a maximum penalty of life in prison without parole, but the death penalty is also an option, according to U.S. Attorney Todd Graves, although he did not say whether he would seek the death penalty.

5 years ago

• Voting has concluded by students and patrons of both the North Nodaway and West Nodaway school districts, and a new mascot and new colors have been picked by popular vote for junior high and high school football, track and cross-country, the activities the two districts co-op with one another.
  “Muskets” is the new mascot and the new colors are Royal blue and Columbia blue. While some had concerns about the new mascot being associated with a gun, West Nodaway athletic director Roger Johnson put the choice in perspective.
  “It is what it is,” Johnson said. “It’s the first three letters of Mustangs combined with the last three letters of Rockets. It can’t get more equitable.”
  Other choices students and patrons had to choose from when voting included: no mascot, Outlaws, River Hawks and Twisters.
• Operating with a minimum quorum of three out of five members, the Maryville City Council this week took less than five minutes to officially annex the Kawasaki Motors Mfg. Corp. U.S.A. factory into city limits.
  The voluntary annexation process in the name of “good corporate citizenship” has been in the works for the past month and is expected to generate new revenues in excess of $170,000 in property and sales taxes for the city of Maryville and two quasi-independent municipal agencies, the Maryville Public Library and Maryville Parks & Recreation.