COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Missouri defensive end Tre Williams was charged Wednesday in a domestic assault case.
The probable cause statement alleges Williams and his girlfriend argued early Sunday and that he hit her several times while she was driving and at one point began choking her. The woman eventually was able to drive away. Williams, a 21-year-old redshirt sophomore, remains indefinitely suspended from the team.
Boone County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Susan Boresi told media outlets earlier Wednesday the case had been dismissed after the office received new information. However, Boone County Attorney Dan Knight later said the case was not dismissed. He did not explain the reason for the confusion and said his office would have no further comment.
No. 24 Missouri (8-4) will play Oklahoma State (6-6) in the Liberty Bowl in Memphis on Dec. 31.
JACKSON COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on numerous charges after a high speed chase.
Blaire-Serna-photo Jackson County
Just before before 8a.m, Tuesday, a sheriff’s deputy attempted to stop a 2009 Chevy Impala on U.S. Hwy 75 near 110th Road in southern Jackson County for a traffic infraction, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.
The driver, later identified as Michael Todd Belaire-Serna, 36, Topeka, allegedly failed to stop and fled from the deputy southbound into Shawnee County.
The deputy continued the pursuit which led to the area of Topeka Blvd. and NW Independence Avenue where the deputy terminated the pursuit.
KHP Troopers and Shawnee County Deputies assisted with the search for the driver and vehicle.
Later in the day, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Dispatch was contacted by Belaire-Serna who stated he had reported his car stolen in Topeka.
Topeka Police went to meet with Belaire-Serna to take a stolen vehicle report. Topeka Police took Belaire-Serna into custody and released him to Jackson County Sheriff’s Office.
Blaire-Serna was convicted on a drug charge in November 2018 -photo KDOC
Belaire-Serna was booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of Felony flee and elude, reckless driving, felony interference with law enforcement, and driving while revoked. He is also being cited for numerous traffic offenses. Belaire-Serna’s vehicle was recovered in the 1900 of NW Fillmore Street in Topeka and impounded.
Blaire-Serna has four previous drug convictions including two in November.
SHAWNEE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal officer involved shooting and aggravated battery to a law enforcement officer and have another suspect in custody, according to Lt. Andrew Beightel.
Retana
On Wednesday during a traffic stop in the 2400 Block of SW Topeka Boulevard, police took 26-year-old Chelsee Ann Retana into custody. She was booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on charges of Aggravated Battery to a law enforcement officer, felony obstruction and numerous other arrest warrants.
Just before 11a.m. November 27, Retana was last seen running southbound from a silver SUV from NE Grant and NE Madison, in the company of another adult female, according to Beightel.
Officers had witnessed the maroon passenger vehicle stalled out in the intersection of NE Grant and NE Monroe in Topeka, according to Beightel. The Officer went to make contact with the occupants of the vehicle.
At that time, a Kansas Highway Patrol Trooper responded to the area, because a Trooper attempted to stop that vehicle earlier in the morning, but the driver of the vehicle later identified as Jarmane Dyane Logan, 35, Topeka, fled and evaded the Trooper.
As the Trooper and Officer were speaking to the occupants of the vehicle, a silver SUV approached them at a high rate of speed, almost striking them.
The occupants of the maroon passenger car attempted to flee and get into the SUV.
Law enforcement on the scene of the investigation Tuesday in Topeka -photo courtesy WIBW TV
As the Trooper and Officer tried to intervene, the Trooper and Officer were dragged by the SUV. The trooper shot and injured the Logan. He was transported to a local hospital by ambulance and died, according to Beightel.
Retina has previous convictions for fleeing or attempt to elude a law enforcement officer, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.
AURORA, Neb. (AP) — Prosecutors will recommend probation for a Missouri man convicted of fatally hitting a pedestrian with his vehicle on Interstate 80 in central Nebraska.
Victor Genetti-Hamilton Co.
29-year-old Victor Genetti, of Sugar Creek, Missouri, has pleaded no contest to motor vehicle homicide in the March 1 death of a 26-year-old India Marie Simpson, of Waxhaw, North Carolina. In exchange for his plea, prosecutors will ask for a sentence of two years’ probation.
Simpson had been a passenger in a vehicle that had broken down near Giltner. Investigators say she was walking along the interstate shoulder to a tow truck when a semi driven by Genetti hit and killed her.
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Missouri GOP is calling on an attorney for the secretary of state to recuse herself from investigating outgoing Republican Attorney General Josh Hawley.
Missouri GOP spokesman Chris Nuelle on Wednesday said Secretary of State Deputy General Counsel Khristine Heisinger has a conflict because she donated to Hawley’s former rival, Democratic U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill, and other Democrats.
Hawley unseated McCaskill in November.
Republican Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft’s office is investigating Hawley following allegations by a liberal group that he misused public resources to boost his Senate bid.
Hawley’s office has called the claims frivolous.
Ashcroft told The Kansas City Star that he’s confident in Heisinger and says she takes her duty to serve in a nonpartisan manner seriously.
Heisinger gave about $2,750 to McCaskill’s 2006 and 2012 campaigns.
OZARK COUNTY — One person died in an accident just after 8p.m. Wednesday in Ozaark County.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2001 Dodge Ram driven by Luke A. Freiman, 47, Caulfield, was northbound on Route H ten miles south of Dora.
The pickup traveled off the left side of the road and the driver overcorrected. The pickup skidded, traveled off the left side of the road, overturned and ejected the driver.
Freiman was pronounced dead at the scene. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Court records say DNA has connected a man to several rapes in Louisiana and Missouri spanning more than a decade.
Meridy -photo Orleans Justice Center Jail
34-year-old Daniel Meridy is jailed in New Orleans on $1.6 million bond on suspicion of four counts each of first-degree rape and aggravated kidnapping. There’s no record of an attorney for him.
New Orleans police say those four alleged assaults happened at gun or knifepoint from 2015 to 2018. Police say one woman was raped in an alley after getting off a bus, while another was assaulted after accepting a ride from Meridy.
Police also say DNA linked Meridy to three unsolved stranger sexual assaults in Kansas City, Missouri, in 2004 and 2005. No charges have been filed in Missouri, although prosecutors say it’s an open investigation.
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) — Police say a Missouri woman charged with murder in the road-rage death of another motorist admitted to being on drugs after the crash.
Elizabeth McKeown-photo Greene Co.
Springfield police allege 46-year-old Elizabeth McKeown told officers she had taken several drugs prior to the Nov. 20 crash, including heroin and MDMA. McKeown has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and armed criminal action in the death of 57-year-old Barbara Foster.
Court records say McKeown told police she “decided to hit” Foster’s car because she was in a hurry. McKeown then told police she “tricked” Foster and “slammed into her and cut her in half” when Foster was assessing her car’s damage.
Police haven’t yet determined if McKeown was under the influence of any drug at the time.
McKeown’s attorney didn’t immediately respond to the newspaper’s request for comment.
WASHINGTON (AP) — The House has easily passed the farm bill, a massive legislative package that reauthorizes agriculture programs and food aid.
The legislation has already passed the Senate and is now headed to President Donald Trump, who is expected to sign it.
The measure is the result of months of negotiations by lawmakers. It does not make any significant changes to the food stamp program that serves nearly 40 million low-income Americans. Trump and conservatives had pushed to create new work requirements for food stamps, but the Senate rejected the idea.
The bill reauthorizes agriculture and conservation programs, funds trade programs, expands support for struggling dairy farmers and legalizes the cultivation of industrial hemp. The House vote was 369-47.
OLATHE, Kan. (AP) — A 29-year-old Kansas man is charged with posting a nude photograph of a former intimate partner online just months after pleading guilty in a similar crime.
Delair photo Johnson County
Matthew David Delair, of Overland Park, was free on bond and scheduled to be sentenced next month after he pleaded guilty in August to three counts of breach of privacy for posting nude pictures of a woman online.
Delair was arrested Tuesday and on Wednesday was charged with a new count of breach of privacy. Court records indicate the charge involves the same woman from the previous case.
Delair’s bond in the new case is $50,000.
Johnson County records show Delair also is on probation in two indecent exposure cases involving four different victims in Olathe in 2017.
