Court Updates, 11-01-2023
Circuit Judge Craig Carter presided over 22 cases during the Oct. 18 criminal docket in Ozark County. Updates in the cases are listed below:
Plea agreement accepted
Sondra Clark pleaded guilty to an amended charge of endangering the welfare of a child in the first-degree pursuant to a plea agreement with the state. Clark was previously charged with second-degree murder. The case involves the death of a 93-day old infant who died under Clark’s care while she was using methamphetamine. A full article on the case will be printed after the sentencing hearing.
A sentencing hearing is set for Nov. 8. A proposed plea agreement has been filed that indicates she will likely be given probation and a 7 year suspended execution of sentence, meaning she won’t have to go to prison, but the judge could execute the sentence if she violates her probation enough.
A full article will be published after the sentencing hearing is held.
Discharged from probation, case complete
Nicholas J. Keeling, who pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance in August 2020, appeared. He had paid all costs in the case. He was discharged from probation. Case complete.
Request to remove GPS-monitoring
Robert Wages, charged with rape, two counts of sodomy and knowingly allowing a person under 21 to consume alcohol, appeared with his attorney, who had submitted a motion to reduce his bond conditions. Wages was released from jail on Aug. 23 with GPS-monitoring. Their request was to do away with the GPS monitor condition, as they said that Wages is low income and currently being represented by the Missouri Public Defender’s office, and the cost for the GPS-monitoring is a significant financial burden to him. The prosecutor objected to the motion and argued that Wages should have to keep the GPS-monitor condition. The judge denied the request, and the condition stands. Wages is set for a jury trial April 11-12, 2024, and a pre-trial conference on Feb. 21.
Jury trial scheduled
Austen Clouser, charged with two counts of endangering the welfare of a child (no sexual contact) and two counts of assault, had his case set for a jury trial May 23-24, 2024, with a pre-trial conference on April 3.
Probation violations
Kenneth Smith, who pleaded guilty in March 2018 to stealing $750, was ordered to serve 7 days in the Ozark County Jail and then be continued on probation with treatment.
Michelle Wilcox, who was convicted of possession of a controlled substance in October 2021, appeared and was screened for drug court as high risk/high need; however, she lives in Howell County and is not eligible. She is to complete the Turning Leaf drug treatment program. Her case review is scheduled for Nov. 8.
Brian Dunaway, who was convicted of voluntary manslaughter in June 2022, was scheduled to appear for a probation violation hearing. He is currently in a drug treatment program, so the hearing was continued to Nov. 8.
Scheduled or continued to Nov. 8
Mark E. Ramagli, charged with non-support of a child with total arrears in excess of 12 monthly payments due under a child support order, failed to appear for his scheduled plea hearing or trial setting. A show cause hearing was scheduled for Nov. 8.
Patrick K. Lee, charged with burglary, domestic assault and robbery, appeared for a pre-trial conference. The docket entry says he may now be drug tested once a month. A jury trial is scheduled for Nov. 29-30.
Herbert Palmer, charged with failure to appear in court for a felony, is scheduled to appear for a pre-trial conference and Frye hearing on Nov. 8.
Jody Weyrauch, charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance, was scheduled for a pre-trial conference. All pending motions will be taken up Nov. 8. The case is set for jury trial on Nov. 13.
Herbert Palmer, charged with failing to appear in court for a scheduled hearing, is set for a pre-trial conference and Frye hearing on Nov. 8.
Christopher Campbell, charged with possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia for methamphetamine in one case and two counts of possession of a controlled substance, delivery of a controlled substance to a jail, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia for methamphetamine and two counts of resisting arrest in a second case, was arraigned on all the charges. A plea hearing or trial setting in both cases is scheduled for Nov. 8.
William Chamberlain, charged with possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, appeared with his attorney. He has associate circuit cases, so the hearing was continued to Nov. 8. Since he was in court, Chamberlain had a CPS non-compliance report filed against him, and a warrant was issued for his arrest. He was arrested Oct. 26 and ordered to spend 7 days in jail and stay in jail until the next regularly scheduled criminal docket.
Linda Schwalm, charged with possession of a controlled substance, keeping or maintaining a public nuisance and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia (when she has a prior drug charge), appeared with her attorney for a plea hearing or trial setting. It was continued to Nov. 8.
Todd Chapman, charged with interference with custody (removed from state) and endangering the welfare of a child, failed to appear for a hearing. A show cause hearing is scheduled for Nov. 8.
Scheduled or continued to Dec. 6
Jerry Joseph Chiasson, charged with stealing a motor vehicle, appeared with his attorney. The victim did not show again. A show cause was issued for the victim. The case was continued to Dec. 6.
Mary Polen, charged with possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia and keeping or maintaining a public nuisance, appeared for a plea hearing or trial setting. The judge allowed that Polen be released from custody on pre-trial release with supervision by Court Probationary Services that includes drug testing twice weekly. She is also ordered to be screened for the 44th Judicial Circuit’s drug court program. Her hearing was continued to Dec. 6.
Scheduled or continued to Dec. 20
Eric Vandiver, charged with delivery of a controlled substance, had his plea hearing or trial setting continued to Dec. 20.
Matthew Wollin, charged with sexual exploitation of a minor child, two counts of domestic assault, two counts of armed criminal action, four counts of abuse or neglect of a child (no sexual contact) and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child, had a plea hearing or trial setting scheduled. The docket says that the state now has the documents for discovery. The hearing was continued to Dec. 20.