Christian County Prosecuting Attorney, Amy J. Fite is very proud to announce that the office spent 6.9% less than what was spent in the 2010 fiscal year. Total office expenditures for 2011 after grant reimbursement was $652,887.92 compared to the $701,100.62 that was actually spent from the general revenue budget in 2010. In 2010, $695,209 was budgeted. In 2011, $654,932 was budgeted for office expenditures.

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Christian County Prosecuting Attorney, Amy J. Fite announced today that CHAD HAWLEY, dob: 2/5/1977 of Ozark, Missouri was sentenced Friday by Christian County Circuit Judge Mark Orr to seven (7) years in the Missouri Department of Corrections for the class C felony statutory sodomy in the second degree, and four (4) years for the class D felony of unlawful use of a weapon. Probation was denied and CHAD HAWLEY is subject to lifetime registration requirements.

On June 10, 2011, thirty-four (34) CHAD HAWLEY engaged in deviate sexual intercourse with a fourteen (14) year old female at her residence in Ozark, Missouri. The father of the fourteen (14) year old juvenile walked in on CHAD HAWLEY engaging in deviate sexual intercourse with his daughter in the front living room of their residence in the early morning hours. From the investigation by the Christian County Sheriff’s Department, it was learned that CHAD HAWLEY had a relation with this fourteen (14) year old juvenile since early February.

On September 24, 2011, while out on a $10,000 surety bond set that was set by Associate Circuit Judge John Waters on the above charge, CHAD HAWLEY was apprehended a short distance from the juvenile’s residence. On his person he had concealed a four inch knife. The Christian County Sheriff’s Department was called out to the residence, because CHAD HAWLEY had been seen by the juvenile hiding in the bushes outside her residence. CHAD HAWLEY was calling her name.

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Christian County Prosecuting Attorney, Amy J. Fite presented the 2011 Annual Report to members of the Christian County Commission this morning. Missouri Law requires that an annual report be prepared and filed with the County Commission once a year. 

To review the 2011 annual report and letter presented to the Commission please click the links below:

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DOWNLOAD ANNUAL REPORT

Christian County Prosecuting Attorney, Amy J. Fite announced today that BILLY PRICE, dob: 08/28/1972 of Oldfield, Missouri plead guilty and was sentenced for class B felony of attempted manufacture of methamphetamine in front of Christian County Circuit Judge Mark Orr. Judge Orr sentenced BILLY PRICE to serve fifteen years in the Missouri Department of Corrections. Probation was denied.

On May 11, 2011, members of the Combined Ozarks Multi-Jurisdictional Enforcement Team (COMET) made contact with BILLY PRICE and other individuals at his residence at 407 Clayton Hollow Road.  BILLY PRICE was apprehended at the scene without incident and the other individuals were apprehended promptly after a failed attempted to flee.

After obtaining a search warrant, COMET officers searched the residence and located numerous items and ingredients for the manufacture of methamphetamine including several packages of cold medicine that contained pseudoephedrine, a necessary ingredient in the manufacture of methamphetamine. After a review of area pseudoephedrine logs, which identify individuals who purchase cold medicine, COMET officers were able to determine that BILLY PRICE had purchased cold medicine similar to that found at his home about four days prior to his arrest.

The conviction of PRICE is the third conviction and sentence to stem from the incident that occurred on May 11^th, 2011. DENNIS WALKER, dob: 11/16/1958 of Sparta, Missouri received a fifteen (15) year sentence and JACK GUIERN, dob: 06/14/1977 of Chadwick, Missouri received a twelve (12) year sentence for their roles in the clandestine methamphetamine operation located by COMET officers.

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Christian County Prosecuting Attorney, Amy J. Fite announced today that 1st Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, Donovan Dobbs argued before the Missouri Supreme Court today in Jefferson City, Missouri. The case of State ex rel. Missouri Public Defender Commission, Cathy R. Kelly and Rod Hackathorn v. The Honorable John S. Waters and the Honorable Mark Orr centered around the indigent defendant Jared Blackshear and his constitutionally mandated right to an attorney. Mr. Blackshear could not afford an attorney and had made application to the Missouri Public Defender. Christian County Associate Circuit Judge John Waters appointed the public defender to represent Mr. Blackshear over the objection and refusal of the public defender. Mr. Dobbs argued to the Supreme Court today that Judge Waters was mandated by Missouri Supreme Court rule to appoint counsel to Jared Blackshear and that he took the only course of action available to him when he appointed the Missouri Public Defender. Under Missouri law, the Missouri Public Defender is required to represent indigent defendants who cannot afford to employ their own attorneys. When the Missouri Public Defender refused to follow their statutory mandate and represent Mr. Blackshear on his burglary and stealing charges, Judge Waters appointed them anyways. At issue is whether the Missouri Public Defender has the right to refuse their statutory mandated role and refuse to represent indigent defendants that cannot afford to hire counsel.

When the Supreme Court handed down the writ of temporary prohibition that lead to argument today, Jared Blackshear was preparing to enter a plea on the pending charges, the defendant remained in the Christian County jail for months until Christian County Prosecuting Attorney Amy Fite took office in January and proceeded to petition the Missouri Supreme Court to allow 38th Circuit Judge Mark Orr the authority to accept the defendant’s plea.

Mr. Blackshear is currently serving a five (5) year sentence on the original charges that prompted the public defender to request it’s writ. For more information about the case and to hear the oral arguments please visit the Missouri Supreme Court Website at: http://www.courts.mo.gov/SUP/index.nsf/fe8feff4659e0b7b8625699f0079eddf/54281b8baa6276fb8625792f00758376?OpenDocument

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