subscribesubscriber servicescontact usabout ussite map
Tue, Nov 10 2009 

Published November 26, 2008 10:44 pm - A fugitive warrant was issued Wednesday to keep a Seneca man in custody in Missouri for transfer to Cherokee County, Kan., in the wake of his acquittal on charges in Newton County related to a string of home invasions three years ago.

Kansas jail awaits acquitted defendant



By Jeff Lehr

jlehr@joplinglobe.com

A fugitive warrant was issued Wednesday to keep a Seneca man in custody in Missouri for transfer to Cherokee County, Kan., in the wake of his acquittal on charges in Newton County related to a string of home invasions three years ago.

A McDonald County jury found Marty W. Rickey, 33, innocent on four felony counts he was facing at a trial this week in Pineville. The trial involving two invasions of elderly Newton County residents’ homes was moved to McDonald County on a change of venue.

Rickey was accused of accompanying his brother, James D. Rickey, 37, and John B. Gaston, 25, both of Joplin, in forcing their way Nov. 19, 2005, into the home of Pauline Carter west of Neosho and robbing her of jewelry. He faced counts of burglary, robbery and felonious restraint with respect to that case.

He also was accused of participating in the invasion of Doris Sill’s home Nov. 26, 2005, on the south side of Joplin. He faced a single count of burglary in that case. Sill’s purse, cell phone, jewelry and coins were taken from her house while she was in her back yard.

Gaston and James Rickey were convicted of both home invasions in Newton County and were assessed prison sentences. But Marty Rickey’s case was complicated by the death last month of Carter at the age of 91.

Newton County Prosecutor Jake Skouby used Gaston as a state witness to Marty Rickey’s alleged involvement in both home invasions. But defense attorney William Fleischaker countered Gaston’s testimony with the introduction into evidence of a deposition from the defendant’s brother, James Rickey, denying any involvement of Marty Rickey. The deposition claims that Gaston was lying to protect a friend of his who was actually with them.

Jurors took the brother’s word over Gaston’s and cleared Marty Rickey on all four counts.

Marty Rickey is charged in Cherokee County, Kan., with kidnapping, aggravated robbery, aggravated burglary and misdemeanor theft, crimes he allegedly committed a year ago while out on bond. He is accused of breaking into the rural Baxter Springs home of Stan and Alta Peck, and stealing a purse containing $30 in cash, credit cards and a cell phone. He allegedly was armed with a handgun and confined Alta Peck to aid his getaway.

James Rickey remains in custody in Cherokee County, where he faces first-degree murder and other charges related to a home invasion he allegedly committed with Gaston in 2005. Dorothy Daniels, 86, died when a blood vessel near her heart burst in the immediate aftermath of an invasion of her home.

Gaston, who also was charged with murder in the Daniels case, pleaded guilty last year to a reduced charge of involuntary manslaughter and burglary, and was sentenced to five years and nine months in prison. But, before he begins serving the Kansas sentence, he must complete concurrent sentences of five and eight years that he was assessed for home invasions in Jasper and Newton counties.

Gaston also faces two 20-year sentences for home invasions in Ottawa County, Okla. Those sentences are running concurrently with the terms he must complete in Missouri and Kansas.



print this story    email this story    comment on this story   

Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.


Add a comment on this story







autoconx
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Click here!!

: Special Offer For New Subscribers : 32 buy 1 get 1 free offers

Click Here!



Featured Jobs

ORTHOPAEDIC
Specialist of the Four States is currently accepting applications for the following postiions: Physical Therapist, Occcu...>MORE

See all ads

Featured Transportation

VOLKSWAGEN, 1998 BEETLE,
black, 5 speed, looks, runs and drives great, only 84,000 miles, $3400. 417-621-0850....>MORE

See all ads

Featured Homes

NO CREDIT
needed qualify for 0 down Own completely remodeled 3/2 16x80 single section manufacturered home, 2 acres, new front deck...>MORE

NO CREDIT NEEDED QUALIFY
for 0 down Own completely remodeled 2/2 16x80 single section manufacturered home, 2 acres, trees, corner lot, large deck...>MORE

1995 16x72 2 BR, 2 BA,
fully furnished, all appliances, 1 owner, beautiful, smoke free, must move. $17,500. (417)423-2385....>MORE

Deerfield Estates
in Carl Junction, prime building sites, reduced $10,000 each. 417-825-0052...>MORE

See all ads

Other Cool Stuff

10 YEAR OLD BUCKSKIN
mare, 14-hands, broke for anyone, $750; miniature Jack and bred Jenny, $400 pair. (417)434-3700....>MORE

TEA CUP
Chihuahua pup, female, shots, wormed. Information (417)843-2735...>MORE

BASS BOAT, 2005
Lowe aluminum, 17’, 2005 90 hp Mercury, 2006 trailer, excellent shape, low hours. $7,500. (417)776-8846 evenings or 417-...>MORE

1993 KUBOTA 1560
lawn tractor, 42” cut with bagger, $800. (417)364-8231....>MORE

CRAFTSMAN
radial 10” arm saw; skil saw 7 1/4”; Singer Featherweight machine; clocks/pocket watches; 7.62-54 rifle, accessories; Ca...>MORE

See all ads


 

Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc.CNHI Classified Advertising NetworkCNHI News Service
Associated Press content © 2009. All rights reserved. AP content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Our site is powered by Zope and our Internet Yellow Pages site is powered by PremierGuide.
Some parts of our site may require you to download the Flash Player Plugin.
View our Privacy Policy
Advertiser index

 

 

The Joplin Globe Electronic Edition