State digest 06/04/05

Assault charge against woman dismissed

VAN BUREN, Mo. -- A special prosecuting attorney dismissed a charge against a Van Buren woman who allegedly went to the residence of the man prosecuting her for attempting to conceal evidence in the shooting death of a Missouri State Highway Patrol sergeant. Ripley County Prosecuting Attorney Steven Lynxwiler dismissed the felony charge of second-degree assault on a law enforcement officer against Coree Lynn Shockley, according to Carter County court personnel. She had been accused of going to Carter County Prosecuting Attorney Michael Ligons' Ellsinore residence after she was bound over to stand trial following an April 15 preliminary hearing on the tampering charge. Lynxwiler was unavailable for comment. Sgt. C. Dewayne Graham was found dead March 20 outside his home.

Community of Christ ordains new leader

INDEPENDENCE, Mo. -- With prayers, hymns and a charge to lead the Community of Christ in both physical and spiritual matters, Stephen M. Veazey was ordained Friday night as the denomination's new prophet and president. Earlier Friday, delegates to a special World Conference gave near-unanimous approval to Veazey's selection to lead the Community of Christ, which has about 250,000 members worldwide. All but a handful of the 2,800 delegates raised their hands in a vote to approve Veazey. No one spoke against his selection. The Community of Christ split from the Mormon church in 1860 and was known as the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints until 2001.

Moberly, six officers and Taser sued over incident

ST. LOUIS -- Moberly police used a stun device to shock a man up to 15 times as he suffered an allergic reaction, according to a lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court for eastern Missouri. David Lash Sr., 40, and his son David Lash Jr., 18, of Moberly claim their rights were violated when police unnecessarily used the Taser when responding to a call Jan. 11. The suit seeks more than $5 million from Taser International Inc. and unspecified damages from the city, the police department and six police officers. The older Lash had a job-related accident and lost a quarter of his right index finger on Jan. 6, the suit said. He then suffered an allergic reaction to medication Jan. 11, the suit said. The Lashes' attorney said David Lash Sr. "was incoherent" during the incident and had struck a daughter trying to help.