Homicide

Victim's family and defendant share their feelings (04/03/08)
BLOOMFIELD -- Emotions from both sides were evident Wednesday morning when the family of Richard "Rick" Watkins faced the man who pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in connection with his death. Watkins' widow, Betty Watkins of Dexter, was one of two people to speak on behalf of the victim during Wednesday's sentencing hearing for 41-year-old James E. Jankowski...

Jankowski sentenced to the maximum (04/03/08)
BLOOMFIELD -- For the first time since his admitted criminal negligence caused the death of a local businessman, James E. Jankowski was taken into police custody. Forty-one-year-old Jankowski was taken into custody following the handing down of a 15-year sentence by Presiding Circuit Judge Stephen R. ...

Welty trial pushed back (04/02/08)
A 14-year-old Bloomfield boy accused of murder has again had his trial pushed back. Following a Monday hearing, Judge William Syler decided that the process of jury selection for the case against Owen Welty, originally scheduled for later this month, will now begin in St. Louis on Sept. 19...