ST. LOUIS (AP) – A victims rights group is seeking a federal investigation into whether officials at Fort Leonard Wood discouraged trainees from reporting allegations of sexual assault and harassment.

The group, Protect Our Defenders, said Thursday it was reacting to testimony this week during a court martial of a former drill sergeant for forcing trainees to perform sexual acts. Two soldiers testified during the trial that trainees were told their class wouldn’t graduate if they reported sexual misconduct claims.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported Maj. Gen. Leslie Smith, post commander, hasn’t made a public statement about the testimony.

Missouri’s two senators, Claire McCaskill and Roy Blunt, said in statements Thursday that they are working to determine the accuracy of the testimony and give the military the means to deal with sexual misconduct.

JOPLIN, Mo. (AP) — The last of five suspects pleaded guilty for his role in the death of a Joplin man.

Johnathan Taylor pleaded guilty Thursday to second-degree murder and first-degree burglary in the July 2012 death of 23-year-old Jacob Wages.

The Joplin Globe reports  the 21-year-old Taylor’s plea deal caps the sentences he could receive at 25 years for the murder conviction and five years burglary, with the sentences running concurrently.

All the other defendants, including Taylor’s younger brother, have also pleaded guilty in the case.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A northwest Missouri couple pleaded guilty to a $567,000 bank fraud scheme involving construction projects in a Lee’s Summit subdivision.

Federal prosecutors say 51-year-old Dennis Key and his 49-year-old wife, Michal Ann Key, of Kingsville pleaded guilty Thursday in separate appearances.

Prosecutors say Dennis Key and his wife conducted different schemes to hide fees and increase his payments for work at the subdivision.

The Keys each face a sentence of up to 30 years in federal prison without parole, plus a fine up to $1 million and an order of restitution. Sentencing hearings have not been scheduled.

FERGUSON (AP) – Ferguson, Missouri’s police chief has marched with protesters, hours after issuing an apology to the family of Michael Brown, the unarmed black 18-year-old who was shot dead by a white police officer in August.

Police Chief Tom Jackson appeared outside the police department in civilian clothes Thursday night and assured protesters that there would be changes in the wake of Brown’s death.

He started to march with protesters when a scuffle broke out behind him. One protester was arrested. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that at least three more protesters also were arrested Thursday night.

Earlier in the day Jackson, in a video released by a public relations firm, apologized to Michael Brown’s family, saying his body had been left in the street far too long.

A state grand jury is investigating the shooting, and Brown’s family is pressing for a full federal investigation. The U.S. Department of Justice is looking into possible civil rights violations.

ST. LOUIS (AP) — With October approaching, the Missouri State Highway Patrol is reminding motorists to watch out for deer.

Deer are most active during the mating season of October and November, and the majority of accidents involving deer occur in those months.

In addition to mating season, hunting and crop harvesting may cause more movement among the animals.

The patrol says motorists who see a deer should slow down and proceed with caution. Deer often travel in groups so if you see one, there may be more to follow.

MERRIAM- A Kansas woman was injured in an accident just after 8:30 p.m. on Thursday.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2011 Kawasaki driven by Madison E. Scott, 20, Edwardsville, was northbound on Interstate 35 just north of 75th Street in Merriam. For an unknown reason the driver lost control and laid the bike over.

Scott was transported to Overland Park Regional Medical Center.

The KHP reported she was wearing a helmet at the time of the accident.

KANSAS CITY (AP) – A grand jury is expected to get the case of a 34-year-old man accused of fatally shooting three Kansas City residents and brutally beating two others who later died.

Brandon Howell is facing a dozen charges in the Sept. 2 attacks, including three counts of first-degree murder for the deaths of 88-year-old Alice Hurst, her son, 63-year-old Darrel Hurst, and 69-year-old Susan Choucroun.

Charges have not been updated in the beatings of George and Ann Taylor, who died after the other counts had been filed.

Assistant Jackson County prosecutor Ted Hunt on Thursday asked Associate Judge Mary Weir to set a Nov. 24 arraignment for Howell, but said he first will submit the case to a grand jury.

Howell is being held without bond in Jackson County jail.