Judge finds man guilty in rape and kidnapping of children

JACKSON, Mo. -- A Jackson man who kidnapped and sexually molested two young girls now faces a possibility of eight life sentences.

Sentencing will be May 28.

A judge Thursday rejected a mental defect defense and convicted Samuel J. Farrow Jr. on 11 of 15 charges, including kidnapping and forcible rape, forcible sodomy and furnishing pornographic material to a minor.

The charges involve two girls, the first 6 years old, the other, 4. Both lived at different times in the same mobile home in Scott City, Mo., and each was kidnapped through the same bedroom window.

They key piece of evidence in the case was a videotaped confession by Farrow. He was convicted of everything he admitted to on tape.

Farrow was acquitted of four sodomy charges involving the younger girl.

Cape Girardeau County Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle said he's pleased that Farrow "is just one step away from being off the streets forever."

Circuit Court Judge John Grimm handed down his verdict after hearing testimony from Farrow's parents and a Kansas City psychiatrist.

He said the decision to allow the confession "was a close call."

His parents testified that Farrow was a young man who was dependent on them financially and couldn't function on his own.

Dr. William S. Logan testified that while Farrow knew what he was doing was wrong, he couldn't comprehend the consequences of his actions.

Farrow had brain damage as a child that left him developmentally disabled and unable to live independently, Logan said.

Farrow's attorney, Al Lowes, said he will appeal the judge's decision.

"What that boy did was absolutely atrocious," the attorney said. "We're not arguing that."

But Lowes said his client belongs in a mental institution, not a prison.

"We knew he'd be locked up," Lowes said. "Even his parents don't think he's safe to be out on the street, but he should be locked in the loony bin."

He said Farrow's confession should never have been allowed as evidence, that he didn't understand what he was doing when he waived his right to an attorney during the interview.

"This kid is as simple as a creek minnow," Lowes said.

Reading rights

He said the police were sloppy when they didn't make sure that Farrow signed a waiver of his rights until the day after his confession.

Legally, police are only required to verbally read a suspect his rights and ask if he understands them. On the videotape, Farrow confirms that he was read his rights.

"The law enforcement officers in this case did an excellent job," Swingle said. The prosecutor said detective Eric Friedrich of the Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's office deserved special recognition.

It was Friedrich, the third officer to interview Farrow, who obtained the confession.

Rebekah Yamnitz, the mother of the 6-year-old victim who was abducted in July 2000, said she was relieved by the verdict. But Yamnitz said she feels bad for Farrow's parents.

"I have pity for them," she said. "I don't believe they raised their child to behave this way."

Kevin Evans, the father of the 4-year-old victim who was kidnapped in November 2000, said he hopes the judge follows through with consecutive life sentences.

"I can't remember one night we haven't had to go in and comfort her from a bad dream," he said.

In addition to the maximum of eight life sentences for the multiple rape and sodomy charges, Farrow faces the possibility of up to 15 years each for two counts of kidnapping and another year for furnishing pornographic material to a minor.

abuchanan@semissourian.com

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