Richard J. Bascom, 42, was set to stand trial March 27-28, before Presiding Circuit Judge Joe Z. Satterfield. However, according to Stoddard County Prosecuting Attorney Briney Welborn that date has been postponed.

"The defendant filed a motion for continuance based on a trial setting in St. Louis County involving murder in the second degree, armed criminal action and robbery," said Welborn in his criminal court docket. "The motion was sustained at that time."

Bascom's new trial date will be set in a hearing scheduled to be held Wednesday, April 16.

Bascom was arrested December 4, 2006, as part of a round-up in Stoddard County of those selling prescription drugs and for other drug related charges.

Bascom has been charged with two counts of the Class B felony of distribution of a controlled substance (Oxycodone) and the Class A misdemeanor of possession of drug paraphernalia.

According to the probable cause affidavit on file, Bascom distributed 23 Oxycodone pills to a confidential informant near Dudley on Wednesday, Oct. 4.

When the warrant for Bascom's arrest was issued, Poplar Bluff Police Chief Danny Whiteley said he was contacted by Missouri State Highway Patrol Cpl. Chris Graves concerning the warrant.

At that that time, Poplar Bluff Assistant Chief Gary Pride went to verify that Bascom's vehicles were at his law office while Graves was en-route to Poplar Bluff. A short time later, Pride notified Whiteley that Bascom and a female got into a vehicle and left the law office.

Whiteley said that he, Task Force Officer Scott Johnston and Graves, who is also a task force member, found the vehicle eastbound on Pine Street and Broadway in Poplar Bluff. The officers conducted a traffic stop and Bascom pulled over and was arrested without incident.

Bascom was booked at the Poplar Bluff city jail and was later transferred to the Stoddard County Justice Center on $50,000 cash only bond.

At the time of his arrest, Bascom claimed he was innocent of all charges against him.

Sacha Champion may be reached via email at schampion@dailystatesman.com