By Jeff Lehr
jlehr@joplinglobe.com
Accused killer Gary Black’s assertion of the right to act as his own attorney at his third trial on a capital-murder charge may be affecting another murder case in Jasper County.
Melvin Rodney Long filed a motion Nov. 6 seeking to represent himself when he goes to trial on charges of first-degree murder and armed criminal action. Long, 38, is accused of shooting Matthew W. Sisco, 34, to death on July 12 during a dispute at Long’s residence on Millwood Road near Purcell.
Circuit Judge Gayle Crane has taken Long’s motion under advisement. Long currently is represented by Nate Anderson, a public defender.
The Jasper County prosecutor’s office responded to the motion by asking that the court order Long to undergo a mental examination before deciding if he should be allowed to act as his own attorney. The judge agreed and ordered that Long be examined at the Western Missouri Mental Health Center in Kansas City.
Another motion hearing in Long’s case is scheduled for today.
Long has been held at the Jasper County Jail since his arrest in July. Black, 42, remains an inmate there as well.
The Missouri Supreme Court decided in May that Black should be granted a third trial and allowed to act as his own attorney.
Juries twice convicted Black of first-degree murder for the 1998 slaying of 28-year-old college student Jason O. Johnson in downtown Joplin and twice sentenced him to die. Black appealed the second conviction on the grounds that he should have been permitted to represent himself, and the state’s high court agreed.
On Friday, Black asked Circuit Judge David Mouton to dismiss one of two standby legal counsels who have been assigned to him for his third trial. He no longer wants the state public defender office’s appointed attorney, William Shull, acting as standby counsel. Joplin attorney William Fleischaker also has been serving as standby counsel.
Shull informed the court that he believes two standby counsels are required in Missouri death-penalty cases. Mouton gave Shull 10 days to offer authority for that requirement, and gave the prosecutor’s office 10 days beyond that to offer suggestions or objections it may have to Black’s motion regarding standby counsel.
Mouton also has stricken a March 3 trial date for Black at the defendant’s request. Both sides will try to come up with a new trial date at a hearing on Jan. 11.
Joplin Metro
Second accused killer asks to be his own attorney
- Joplin Metro
-
-
Longtime Democrat dies at 81
Sapp, 81, died Thursday. Funeral services were Monday at the First Presbyterian Church of Joplin. A longtime Jasper County Democratic committeewoman and volunteer, Sapp for years was secretary to the county’s central committee.
-
Hundreds gathering for Day of Unity walk
The group is still arriving at Wal-Mart now, and will join hundreds of other walkers at 2:30 p.m. to continue their trek through Joplin.
-
Water company worker killed in construction accident
A Missouri-American Water Company employee died from an injury sustained Wednesday at a work site at 25th Street and Moffet Avenue.
-
Joplin teen pleads guilty to assault on police officer
Allen Russell entered an open plea of guilty on the charge in Jasper County Circuit Court with respect to an attack Dec. 4 on Officer Joshua Hanes of the Joplin Police Department.
-
Public forum on broadband tomorrow
Plans for a regional broadband initiative will be outlined on Friday at a public meeting set for 10 a.m. to noon at the Joplin Public Library.
-
School-bond election an emotional issue for voters
A question of whether to allow the Joplin School District to take out $62 million in bonds for a new high school is bringing out emotions in Joplin voters.
-
Globe wins news-reporting award from ASNE
The Joplin Globe was awarded the Jesse Laventhol Prize for Deadline News Reporting by the American Society of News Editors on Monday in Washington D.C.
-
Joplin man sentenced for role in child's alcohol-poisoning death
The uncle, in whose home an 11-year-old Joplin boy died of alcohol poisoning from a drinking game with the uncle’s girlfriend, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison.
-
Motivational speaker offers free marriage course
Presented by Mark Gungor, the course is being offered free to the community. The event is being held to aid in tornado relief.
-
District sends faculty, administrators on site visits
With the design phase of several buildings in Joplin Schools ending in May, the district has sent 66 administration, faculty, parents and community members on site visits to 22 schools and two technology company headquarters across the country.
- More Joplin Metro Headlines
-
No Limits for Disabled Hunters at Mich. Base
Victim Identified in Fla. Face-chewing Attack
Radioactive Bluefin Tuna Crossed the Pacific
90 Guns Seized, Dozens Arrested in Oakland
Raw Video: Hail Storm Batters Oklahoma City
6-Year-Old Going to National Spelling Bee
California's Foie Gras Ban About to Begin
Video Essay: Funky Winkerbean Comic Turns 40
Hurricane Andrew Remembered, 20 Years Later
Judge's Ruling Halts Tenn. Mosque Construction
Romney in Las Vegas on Texas Primary Day
Sister Says She Reported Brother in Patz Killing
Even Fla. Police Shocked by Face-Mauling Attack
Angry Birds Spreading Their Wings
