Jetton pleads guilty to misdemeanor assault

NEW MADRID, Mo. -- Former Missouri House speaker Rod Jetton pleaded guilty Thursday to a reduced charge of misdemeanor assault, avoiding the possibility of jail time with the admission he struck a woman in the face and choked her during sex at her Sikeston, Mo., home in November 2009.

Judge Fred Copeland suspended the imposition of sentence, placing Jetton, 43, on probation and requiring him to pay restitution of $950 to the victim, Mary Elizabeth Lowe. Jetton originally had faced felony assault charges.

Jetton, a Marble Hill, Mo., Republican, was also ordered to pay court costs of $414.50 to the New Madrid County law enforcement fund. Upon payment of the restitution and court costs, Jetton was to be released from probation, according to the plea agreement.

Jetton's attorney, Stephen Wilson, said Jetton paid the restitution and court costs in full following the court proceedings.

As part of the suspended imposition of sentence, by fulfilling the judge's orders, Jetton is not considered convicted of a crime.

"Our reaction is that we're glad the matter has been resolved," Wilson said. "We think it's a good outcome. He's off probation, and he hasn't been convicted of a crime. After a year and a half, it's over. He, like Mrs. Lowe, is glad that this unfortunate incident is behind both of them."

Scott County Prosecuting Attorney Paul Boyd released a statement Thursday, saying Lowe was present for the plea agreement and was in agreement with the disposition "so she can move on with her life. Mrs. Lowe asks that her privacy be respected for herself and her family."

Boyd did not return phone calls Thursday afternoon seeking additional comment.

Lowe had previously testified in court that after finishing one glass of wine she started to drift in and out of consciousness. She also recalled waking up and Jetton had taken her into her bedroom and was having sex with her. She testified that there was a struggle that resulted in bruising to her face, neck, left thigh and right ankle.

When she was questioned by the defense, Lowe said she and Jetton had discussed in a conversation before they met that night that they would use the safe word "green balloons" if intercourse got too rough.

Jetton served as state representative for Missouri's 156th District from 2001 to 2009. He was speaker of the Missouri House of Representatives from 2005 to 2009, when he left because of term limits. Jetton and his wife, Cassandra, were divorced a month before the assault. A day after Jetton was charged in 2009, he closed his political consulting firm.

In an unrelated case in February, Jetton pleaded guilty in Butler County traffic court to an amended charge of interfering with traffic by driving using excessive noise. His lawyer in that case was state Sen. Jason Crowell, R-Cape Girardeau.

smoyers@semissourian.com

388-3642

Pertinent address:

Sikeston, MO

New Madrid, MO