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Obituaries April 9-11

Posted on April 13, 2017April 13, 2017

Toni Sue Taylor
1972-2017

Toni Sue Taylor, 45, St. Joseph, Missouri passed away Sunday, April 9, 2017.
She was born January 30, 1972 in St. Joseph, Missouri to Ross and Georgie (Hall) Lewallen.
Survivors include parents, daughters, Kylee Lewallen (Eddie Leaverton) and Caitlyn Taylor (Riley Wilson); granddaughter, Cordelia Leaverton; sisters, Tanya Blakley (Brian) and Toree Pruett (Bill); nephews, Camdyn Pruett and Colton Blakley; niece Izabella Pruett.
The family will gather with friends 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Thursday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Private Interment Kerns-Freeman Cemetery. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.

Nikole Rene Caudle
1984-2017

Nikole Rene Caudle 32, of St. Joseph, Missouri, passed away Sunday, April 9, 2017 at the Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, IL after a courageous battle with a 11 year illness. She was born May 26, 1984 in Falls City, NE, daughter of Tammy and Rick Loubey. She graduated from Benton Benton High School class of 2002 and Missouri Western state college with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. She married Kaleb Caudle on September 27, 2008 and he survives of the home. She was a homemaker who was a devoted mother to her daughter Bellamie, and loved spending time with her family and friends. Nikole was preceded in death by her son, Jerrett Caudle, maternal grandfather, Walter Coffman, paternal grandparents, Edward and Helen Loubey. Survivors include, husband, Kaleb Caudle, and daughter Bellamie of the home, her parents, two brothers, David (Shauna) Loubey, and Danny Loubey both of St. Joseph, MO, maternal grandmother, Carol Coffman of St. Joseph, MO, father in law, Doug (Kelli) Caudle of St. Joseph, MO, mother in law, Glenda (Earl) Simmons, as well as several nieces and nephew, and her doggy, Mya,
Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 am, on Saturday, April 15, 2017 at Rupp Funeral Home, with Rev. Albert Shirley officiating, The family will receive friends from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Friday at the Rupp Funeral Home. Memorials are requested in lieu of flowers to Northwestern Memorial Hospital for Echmo Research and development program, in care of the Rupp Funeral Home. Online condolence and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com.

Harold David Kunzler
1938-2017

Harold David Kunzler 78, of St. Joseph, Missouri, passed away Monday, April 10, 2017 in St. Joseph, MO. He was born June 8, 1938 in St. Joseph, MO, son of the late Rosa and Leslie Kunzler. He married Juanita Bittick on October 25, 1958. He worked at Dugdale meat packing for 23 years and was a auto body Man for 15 years. He enjoyed building hot rod cars, gardening, going to D&A Auto, where he was the “honorary supervisor”, he was a loving father & husband who enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. He was a member of the Evangelistic Temple. Harold was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers, Albert, William Edward, Robert, and Donald Kunzler, and a sister, Goldie Turpin. Survivors include, wife, Juanita Kunzler of the home, five children: Sheila (Jay) Sollars, Leslie Eugene (Christina) Kunzler, Steven (Karen) Kunzler, Lisa Kunzler and Crystal Lee all of St. Joseph, MO, 7, grandchildren, 8, great grandchildren, brother, Garry Kunzler, and best friend dog Chihuahua, Sadie.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 am, on Thursday, April 13, 2017 at Rupp Funeral Home, with Pastor Ron Nichols officiating, The family will receive friends from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Wednesday at the Rupp Funeral Home. The Interment will be at the King Hill Cemetery.

Ruth Lois Schubert
1927-2017

Ruth Lois Schubert 89, of Saint Joseph, Missouri, passed away Tuesday, April 11, 2017 in a Saint Joseph, MO health care center. She was born November 25, 1927 in Sterling, CO, daughter of the late Helen Katherine and Donald Jackson. She married Leonard Buias and they had 6 children, in 1957 she married Mickey Rhyne and they had 4 children, moving to St. Joseph, she married LeRoy Schubert in 1966 and they had 1 child. She worked at cafe’s and nursing homes as a cook. Ruth was preceded in death by husband, LeRoy Schubert, her parents, sisters, Mildred and Marie Jackson, brother, Jesse Lee Jackson, grandson, Timothy Gibson, granddaughter, Kathy Huffman. Survivors include, 11 children: Leona Huffman, Leonard Gibson, Richard Hicks, John Robinson, Frank Lee, Diane Black, Mick (Lisa) Rhyne, Donald Rhyne, Roger (Dee) Rhyne, Ray (Mary) Rhyne, and David Schubert, brother in law, Raymond Schubert of St. Joseph, MO, 28 grandchildren, 34 great grandchildren, 5 great great grandchildren. The family will receive friends from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM on Friday at the Rupp Funeral Home, memorial services will be conducted at 2:00 PM Friday with Chaplain Beau Walker officiating.

Grand jury returns more charges against Kansas man in foreign travel for sex case

Posted on April 13, 2017

A U.S. grand jury returned additional charges against a Lindsborg, Kansas man accused of traveling to a foreign country to have sex with minors.

According to U.S. Attorney Tom Beall, Anthony Shultz, 54, is accused of traveling to the Philippines, where he engaged in sex with minors, produced videos of sex acts with minors and distributed them on the internet.

The case began in April 2016 when the FBI received a tip that a U.S. citizen was sexually abusing minors in the Philippines, producing live-streaming videos and distributing videos via the internet to users who paid to see them. Investigators followed an electronic trail to Shultz, who was a commercial pilot and owned a home in Lindsborg. He initially was charged in July 2016.

Schultz is charged with the following counts:
*Count one: Engaging in illicit sexual conduct in a foreign place with a minor victim (victim 1).
*Count two: Production of child pornography (victim 1).
*Count three: Sex trafficking of children (new count, victim 1).
*Count four: Engaging in illicit sexual conduct in a foreign place with a minor victim (new count, victim 2).
*Count five: Production of child pornography (new count, victim 2).
*Count six: Sex trafficking of children (new count, victim 2).
*Count seven: Production of child pornography (new count, victim 3).
*Count eight: Selling or buying of children (new count, victim 3).
*Count nine: Distribution of child pornography.
*Count 10: Possession of child pornography (new count).
*Count 11: Identity theft

Upon conviction, the crimes carry the following penalties:
*Counts one and four: Not less than five years and not more than 30 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000.
*Counts two and five: Not less than 15 years and not more than 30 years and a fine up to $250,000.
*Counts three and six: Not less than 15 years and a fine up to $250,000.
*Count seven: Not less than 15 and not more than 30 years and a fine up to $250,000.
*Count eight: Not less than 30 years and a fine up to $250,000.
*Count nine: Not less than five years and not more than 20 years and a fine up to $250,000.
*Count 10: Not more than 10 years and a fine up to $250,000.
*Count 11: Up to five years and a fine up to $250,000.

Woman pleads guilty to distributing drugs, but tells judge she is not a drug dealer

Posted on April 13, 2017

A woman arrested during a Drug Strike Force sweep in February has pleaded guilty to charges of distributing meth.

As we reported, Renee Quimby was one of nearly two dozen suspects arrested after a Drug Strike Force investigation. In Circuit Court Thursday, Quimby pleaded guilty to one count of distributing a controlled substance.

Quimby, 50, admitted selling drugs to a confidential informant, but told the judge that she was not a drug dealer.

Prosecutors told the judge the woman was arrested after three controlled buys, and that she has prior convictions for possession and distribution of drugs. They recommended a nine year sentence.

Judge Daniel Kellogg followed the prosecutor’s recommendation and sentenced Quimby to nine years in prison.

Bail reduction denied for suspect accused of stealing car at gunpoint

Posted on April 13, 2017

A judge on Thursday refused to reduce the bail of a man arrested in St. Joseph after allegedly stealing a car in Kansas City at gunpoint.

Dweh Barwu has denied stealing the vehicle and has claimed in court that he was abused by police during his arrest. During his Circuit Court arraignment hearing Thursday, Barwu’s lawyer asserted that there is no evidence in the case showing his client stole the vehicle, even though he was allegedly near the vehicle, and had the keys and a firearm at the time of his arrest.

Circuit Judge Daniel Kellogg refused Barwu’s second request to reduce his bail. Originally set at $25,000 cash deposit. That was reduced last month to $1,000 cash plus a $24,000 surety bond.

As we reported earlier, officers with the St. Joseph Police Department were dispatched to the 1800 block of N. 36th St. on February 12. A GPS system allegedly revealed he was in possession of a vehicle stolen at gun point In Kansas City, Kansas. Police there said they believe he “…intentionally ran into the victim’s vehicle with another vehicle in order to steal hers.” He then allegedly threatened her with a gun and fled with her vehicle.

Barwu is charged with tampering with a motor vehicle, a class-d felony. Judge Kellogg scheduled the defendant’s next court appearance May 18.

Judge reduces damage award to statutory limits in malpractice case

Posted on April 13, 2017

On the same day Mosaic Life Care settled a medical malpractice claim for $3.85 million, a jury verdict against the hospital was formally entered in another malpractice case. The jury’s wrongful death judgment, adjusted down by the judge, totaled more than $2.5 million.

Circuit Judge Randall Jackson formally entered the judgment on Wednesday in the case of Lois Sullwold of St Joseph.

Last month, the panel awarded five million dollars in past and future “non-economic” damages (pain and suffering). The law limits the amount of such damages to $350,000 for actions that occurred before August of 2015, when the cap was raised to $700,000 by the General Assembly.

“It’s unfortunate that the public doesn’t know that. Even though the jury heard the evidence, and decided that there was negligence involved, the law doesn’t allow such high awards for non-economic damages,” said Bill Bird, the attorney for the estate of Lois Sullwold.

Ms Sullwold, a woman in her 70s, died after problems arose around an IV placed in the crook of her elbow that later become infected. The infections caused what Bird described as 18 months of misery, in which she was hospitalized for all but about 30 days.

“It is a shame, and I’d like to see the evidence that such damage caps work,” Bird said. “I think the jury was trying to send a message. ‘Don’t treat patients this way; train your nurses.’ ”

Evidence showed that Ms Sullwold began bleeding from the site of the IV, but that nurses merely cleaned up the site, and reinserted the IV at the same location. Bird says standard medical practice calls for IVs not to be placed in locations such as the wrist or the elbow, because they can and often do move.

The jury awarded punitive damages of one million dollars in the trial. They also awarded $1.2 million dollars for past economic damages. Judge Jackson entered $350,000 for non-economic damages.

The case went to trial on March 14, 2017. The panel returned a verdict on March 20. Judge Jackson entered the formal judgment Wednesday.

St. Joseph man accused of child molestation

Posted on April 13, 2017April 13, 2017

A 23-year-old St. Joseph man is accused of making a child perform sexual acts.

Jeffery Alan Nash is charged in Buchanan County with a felony of first-degree statutory sodomy with a victim under the age of 12.

According to court documents, between 2015 and 2017 Nash committed the offense of child molestation. He is accused of using the girl for his own sexual gratifications.

Nash is currently being held on $20,000 bail in the Buchanan County Jail. A condition of bail includes no contact with the victim. Nash is due in court Tuesday for an arraignment.

Chance of showers and thunderstorms through weekend

Posted on April 13, 2017

On and off storm chances will begin this late this evening and continue through the weekend, but overall rain chances are pretty low outside Friday morning and perhaps Saturday night into early Sunday morning. Here’s the 7-day forecast from the National Weather Service:

Today: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 75. South wind 3 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Tonight: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. South southeast wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Friday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 1 p.m. Cloudy, with a high near 75. South wind 8 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 63. South wind 13 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph.

Saturday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 76. Breezy, with a south southwest wind 13 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 32 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Saturday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 52. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 69.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 49.

Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 68.

Monday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Tuesday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 72. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Tuesday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Wednesday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 71. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Mosaic settles malpractice suit for $3.85 million

Posted on April 12, 2017

Mosaic Life Care on Wednesday settled a medical malpractice lawsuit for $3.85 million.

Court pleadings indicated that three-year-old Da-Sean Christophel was born at what was then known as Heartland Regional Medical Center in October of 2013. But the plaintiffs alleged that young Da-Sean was discharged prematurely, despite evidence of a serious condition.

According to court filings, the baby was losing weight three days after his birth, he was jaundiced, and that he had elevated levels of a toxin known as bilirubin, which is normally excreted by the body. Da-Sean returned to the hospital a few days later and was transferred to Mercy Children’s Hospital in St. Louis. According to the lawsuit, the baby suffered permanent, debilitating injuries, and “experienced great physical pain and mental anguish.”

The hospital, and Dr. Joel Karasek, were accused in the lawsuit of failing to notice the symptoms and failing to implement normal policies and procedures, discharging the baby prematurely, and failing to schedule follow-up appointments. According to court pleadings, the baby developed cerebral palsy.

The two sides agreed to a settlement which was approved by Buchanan County Circuit Judge Randall Jackson on Wednesday. The settlement does not include any admission of wrongdoing by the hospital or Dr. Karasek.

The case was settled for $3.85 million dollars. The plaintiff’s lawyers will receive 40% of that (about $1.45 million) plus more than $147,000 in expenses, according to the court filing. The settlement order establishes a trust fund for the baby totaling $1.7 million. The parents, Dawanna Wilkerson and Sean Christophel will receive $450,000.

Manslaughter trial delayed

Posted on April 12, 2017

The trial of a Daviess County man accused in the death of his roommate has been delayed.

Aaron Tucker is charged with involuntary manslaughter for a fight last November between Tucker and Michael Estabrook that left Estabrook unconscious and eventually claimed his life. Tucker was originally charged with second-degree murder.

The case was scheduled to go to trial or plea on Wednesday, but at the request of the defendant’s lawyer, Circuit Judge Thomas Chapman agreed to a two-month continuance.

Tucker is due back in court June 14. He is free on $10,000 bond.

Leavenworth County man pleads guilty to producing child porn

Posted on April 12, 2017

A northeastern Kansas man pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court to producing child pornography.

Bradley Hilt, 26, Linden, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of producing child pornography and one count of distributing child pornography. In his plea, he admitted that a forensic examination of his computer revealed child pornography including 18,342 still images and 135 videos.

Two of the videos, produced by Hilt, depicted a girl who was five to seven years old.

According to U.S. Attorney Tim Beall, Hilt came to the attention of law enforcement when an FBI task force member discovered images that Hilt was sharing with other users on a peer-to-peer network through the internet.

Sentencing will be set for a later date. Both parties have agreed to recommend a sentence of 15 years in federal prison.