The Springfield News-Leader from Springfield, Missouri • Page 16

News-Leader Saturday, June 16, 2001 Page edited by Seth Doria; call 836-1199 after 5 p.m. Jury selection centered on opinions of death penalty By Laura Bauer Menner News-Leader In a Platte County courtroom that seats 100, one question asked over and over this week made many shift uncomfortably in their chairs. One woman rubbed her temples and closed her eyes after she was asked and answered the question: "Could you consider giving someone the death penalty for first-degree murder?" Sometimes Greene County Prosecutor Darrell Moore delivered the question; other times it was public defenders Cynthia Short or Tom Budesheim. It is an issue some prospective jurors said they never thought they would have to worry about until they were called for jury duty in the Richard DeLong capital murder case. The question and the answer are what the case is all about.

Beginning Monday, prosecutors will fight for the death penalty, and public defenders will fight to save DeLong's life. "We want you to search your heart and soul here and be honest with us," Budesheim would say. "This is the only time we will get to talk to you about this." Some prospective jurors apologized for their answers, saying they were sorry they felt so strongly. Others were proud of their firm beliefs. In a county where most residents label themselves conservative, only nine of 126 people questioned over five days said they were against the death penalty.

Two were men and seven were women. As soon as Moore asked the question Wednesday morning, spinning it differently and asking if there was anyone who wouldn't consider the death penalty during sentencing, one DEATH NOTICES Notices contain service and death information only. E. Howard Bagby, 50 E. Howard Bagby, Springfield, died at 7:44 a.m.

Thursday in Cox Medical Center South. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. today in Greenlawn Cemetery under direction of Herman H. Lohmeyer Funeral Home. Faye Bassett, 89 DIXON Mrs.

Faye Bassett, Dixon, a homemaker, died Thursday in Phelps County Regional Medical Center, Rolla. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday in the Kenner Church of God, near Dixon, with burial in Kenner Cemetery under the direction of Long Funeral Home. Visitation will be from from 5 to 8 p.m. today in the funeral home.

Frowin Brownfield, 75 Father Frowin Brownfield, Springfield, a priest, died at 6:30 a.m. Wednesday in Mercy Villa. Mass of Resurrection will be at 11 a.m. Monday in St. Agnes Cathedral, with a second Mass of Resurrection at 10:30 a.m.

Tuesday in St. John's Catholic Church, Iola, with burial in Highland Cemetery, Iola, under direction of Herman H. man's hand immediately shot up. "Not at all," he said, shaking his head. He said it was a strongly held moral belief on his part.

Eight others felt the same. "I don't feel I have the power to be put in that position to decide whether this person should live or die." Most of the 75 people dismissed before general questioning, though, were let go because of their strong beliefs in favor of the death penalty. Among them were farmers, teachers, executives and stay-at-home moms. They told attorneys that when it came to first-degree murder where children and multiple victims were involved, they would consider only death for the defendant. To be a qualified juror, a person must be able to consider both sentences death and life in prison without parole.

"I do favor the death penalty," said one person who was picked for the final jury. "But I can see it's not always the case." In the first small group of potential jurors early Monday, three of eight people automatically told Moore they would not consider life without parole as a possible sentence. "If a person is convicted of murder, a life sentence would not be acceptable to me," one woman said, who agreed with two men in the group. Then came questioning by Short, the lead public defender. She asked the question again, digging deeper.

She turned to one of the men in the group and asked him his feelings on life in prison without parole. "My feelings are, the individual shouldn't be allowed to be a burden on us for the rest of your life," he said. "If you do that (crime), I just don't think you should live." "Could you consider life in prison Lohmeyer Funeral Home, Springfield. Prayer services will be at 7:30 p.m. Sunday in St.

Agnes Cathedral, Springfield. John Lafate Eisley, 86 CRANE Mr. John Lafate Eisley, Crane, formerly of Springfield, a laborer, died at 7:40 a.m. Friday in Ozark Mountain Regional Health Care Center, Crane. Graveside services will be at 1 p.m.

Tuesday in Greenlawn Cemetery, Springfield, under the direction of Greenlawn Funeral Home North. Visitation will be from 7 to 8 p.m. Monday in the funeral home. William Carl Enke, 86 GROVE, Okla. Mr.

William Carl Enke, Grove, formerly of Springfield, a retired freight truck driver, died at 1:15 p.m. Thursday in Grove General Hospital, Grove. Graveside services will be at 1 p.m. Monday in Galloway Cemetery under the direction of Walnut Lawn DeGraffenreid-Wood Funeral Home, Springfield. Visitation will be from 1 to 4 p.m.

Sunday in the funeral home. Morris E. Forgey, 69 WHEATON Mr. Morris E. Forgey, Wheaton, a retired truck driver and Korean War veteran, died at 8:40 a.m.

Thursday in St. John's Regional Health Center, Springfield. without parole?" Short asked. "I don't think so." That brought to four the number of people dismissed on cause alone. That's how much of the week went.

As attorneys dug deeper and potential jurors thought harder, strong beliefs seeped out. Attorneys first learned potential jurors' views on punishment in a questionnaire they filled out May 30. Public defenders "red-flagged" one woman's answer, telling the judge earlier this week she should be dismissed because of what she wrote. "Anyone who killed children and a pregnant woman, you should get him a chaplain for a chance to get him right with God and then give him a lethal injection," she wrote. During questioning, the woman said the death penalty is often appropriate, but not for people who could be rehabilitated.

She was dismissed. One woman who progressed to general questioning first told attorneys she didn't like the idea of playing "God" with someone's life. "I'm not one to judge," she said. "It's hard for me to put someone's life in my hands, it is," she said. She told attorneys, though, death is something she could consider.

Another woman told attorneys and the judge that she typically isn't opinionated, and that goes for the death penalty. But everything changed when she filled out the questionnaire late last month. "I've done a lot of soul-searching on this," she said using a microphone so the court reporter could hear. "I think I've thought a lot deeper on things. I think I can be fair." On Friday, she made the final cut and will come to Springfield Sunday for the trial.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday in Ridgley Baptist Church, Ridgley, under the direction of McQueen Funeral Home, Wheaton, with burial in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Butterfield. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today in the funeral home. Evelyn C.

Hampton, 70 Ms. Evelyn C. Hampton, Springfield, a homemaker, died at 7:31 p.m. Thursday in her home. No services are planned, with cremation under the direction of Thieme Funeral Home.

Donald B. Hayes, 87 KIMBERLING CITY Mr. Donald B. Hayes, Kimberling City, a retired factory worker, died at 9:30 a.m. Thursday in his home.

Cremation will follow visitation under direction of Stumpff Funeral Home South, Kimberling City. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Monday in the funeral home. Edward Leroy Lowrance, 67 LEBANON Mr.

Edward Leroy Lowrance, Lebanon, a moving.company owner and operator and U.S. Army veteran, died at 5:27 a.m. Thursday in his home. Services will be at 2 p.m. today in Holman-Howe Funeral Home, Lebanon, with burial with military honors in Roper Cemetery, near Morgan.

Jurors have range of views on punishment From Our Staff Here are profiles of 14 jurors who will hear the first -degree murder trial of Richard DeLong, based on statements during jury selection. I Juror 1: This woman said she was "horrified" by the paragraph in a jury questionnaire about the crime. She talked little during her small-group discussion with jurors and offered nothing during general questioning. She said she favors the death penalty, "but can see it's not always the case." I Juror 2: This insurance-claims processor said she read newspaper articles about the deaths of the Erin Vanderhoef family in 1999, but I had not formed an opinion about the case. She had a strong memory and recalled some details about the case.

"If there was overwhelming evidence to the contrary of what the articles sounded like, I would be OK with that," she said. The defense had asked that she be stricken, which the judge denied. Juror 3: She said she was not "dead-set" against the death penalty, but she was not for it, either. She had not formed an opinion about it, she said. Juror 4: She said she had heard no media reports about the case.

She said she doubted that "life without parole" meant that the defendant, if convicted, would really never be released. When attorneys told her life without parole meant no chance of parole, she said she would be able to consider life and the death penalty. David Sebastian Macy, 87 LEBANON Mr. David Sebastian Macy, Lebanon, a retired manag. er, died at 5:20 a.m.

Thursday in Christian Healthcare South. Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in Holman-Howe Funeral Home, with burial in Rolla City Cemetery, Rolla. Visitation will be from 5 to 6 p.m. Sunday in the funeral home.

Della Mae Neeley, 61 TANEYVILLE Mrs. Della Mae Neeley, Taneyville, a homemaker, died at 4:15 a.m. Thursday in her home. Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday in Kissee Mortuary and Chapel, Forsyth, with burial at a later date.

Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday in the chapel. Loyal P. Scott, 60 HOLLISTER Mr. Loyal P.

Scott, Hollister, a truck driver, died at 11:12 a.m. Wednesday in St. John's Regional Health Center, Springfield. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in Ozarks Memorial Park Cemetery, Branson, under the direction of Greenlawn Funeral Home, Branson.

Visitation will be from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday in the funeral home. Orville Dean 'Smitty' Smith, 77 Mr. Orville Dean "Smitty" Smith, Springfield, a U.S. Air Force veteran, The obituaries and memoriams listed below are paid announcements.

The death notices are published at no charge. Obituary charges are $2.10 per line Obituaries Monday through Saturday and $2.30 per News-Leader line for at (417) Sunday (not 836-1221 including Monday heading). through There is an until 4:30 additional charge You for call pictures. Obituaries must be faxed to the Sunday p.m. may (417) 836-1183 or 1-800-695-1972.

Juror 5: She said someone who killed children would deserve the most severe punishment. She said she could consider a punishment other than death. She also doubted that life without parole meant the defendant would stay in prison for life. In her questionnaire, she wrote: "I would have to give him the most severe pain there is" if he was found guilty of the described crime. But she said she could be fair and impartial.

Juror 6: He said he would be able to consider life in prison as a possible punishment. Asked if he could consider a person's childhood, he said he could. But, he said, "I think you make your own future. Life is how you make it." Juror 7: She said she would be open to both death and life in prison. But with children as the victims, she said she would be more swayed toward the death penalty than she ever thought she would be.

A person's background and circumstances of the crime would have an effect on her thoughts, she said. I Juror 8: He said he would want all the information he could get in deciding to sentence someone to life or death. "I'd want to take into consideration all the information that was available," he said. Juror 9: A mother of four and the wife of a teacher, this woman said she felt it was important to know everything about a person when deciding the sentence. "I think it's important to know their background and history and where died Thursday in Cox Medical Center South.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. today in Walnut Lawn DeGraffenreid-Wood Funeral Home Chapel, with burial in Patterson Cemetery. Aaron E. Strong, 93 WICHITA, Kan. Mr.

Aaron E. Strong, Wichita, an aircraft mechanic, died at 9:04 a.m. Monday in Via Christi R.M.C. St. Francis Campus.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Gainesville, with burial in Patrick Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday in the funeral home. Jemina Thomas, 77 Mrs.

Jemina Thomas, Springfield, a homemaker, died Wednesday in her home. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday in Walnut Lawn DeGraffenreid- Wood Funeral Home Chapel, with burial in Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery, Joplin. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4p.m. Sunday in the funeral home.

Marie Watson, 94 LEBANON Mrs. Marie Watson, Lebanon, a nurse's aide, died at 7 p.m. Thursday in Christian Healthcare North. Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in Colonial Chapel, with burial in Inez Marie McCoy Inez Marie McCoy, 93, Springfield, passed away Friday, June 15, 2001, in Ozark Riverview Manor.

She was born December 24, 1907, in Sparta, the daughter of Harrison and Frances (Phillips) McCoy. Throughout her younger years she continued to live in Christian County, and attended Propect Baptist Church. She served on mission fields in Costa Rica and Mexico, along with her brother and his family, for many years before returning to this area. She attended High Street Baptist Church. Her parents, and 15 brothers and sisters preceded her in death.

Survivors include two sistersin-law, Rachel Nixa, and Katherine McCoy, Mexico; and nieces and nephews. Graveside services will be at 3 p.m. Sunday, June 17, in Hopedale Cemetery, north of Ozark. The casket will be open for viewing in the cemetery before the service. Valerie Avon Shultz Valerie Avon Shultz, 75, Springfield, passed away at 3:58 p.m.

Thursday, June 14, 2001, in Cox Medical Center South following a short illness. Valerie was born February 20, 1926, in Ada, Minnesota, to Francis and Mattie Peterson. She was married to the Reverend Leland G. Shultz on July 17, 1948. She shared in pasto- they came from," she said.

"When you decide between death and life in prison, I think that would make a difference to me." She said would abide by instructions and do what the court told her in making a sentencing decision. Juror 10: He said he would need to see all the evidence before deciding to sentence someone to life or death. Juror 11: She said little during the small group discussion and questioning. She said she didn't have strong views either way on the death penalty. Juror 12: She is a humanresources director and a mother.

She said her stepchildren's mother is a drug addict and she wasn't sure whether her experience with that would make her impartial in a case where substance abuse was a factor. Alternate No. 1: She said she would have to hear everything before deciding to sentence someone to life or death. "I've done a lot of soul-searching on this," she said. "I've thought a lot deeper about things.

It just seems like sometimes they get out, don't they?" Attorneys explained to her that with life without parole, the defendant would never be released. She said she gets "wishy-washy" at times, but thought she could be fair. Alternate No. 2: He said he felt life without parole was very severe punishment, almost more so than death. He said he would be able to consider background, past drug abuse and childhood in a sentencing.

Lebanon Cemetery. Friends may call in the chapel. Bessie May West, 84 BUFFALO Mrs. Bessie May West, Buffalo, a retired machine operator, died at 10:35 p.m. Thursday in St.

John's Regional Health Center. Services will be at 5 p.m. today in Montgomery-Viets Funeral Home, Buffalo, with burial in Hopewell Cemetery, Tunas. Visitation will be from 4 to 5 p.m. today in the funeral home.

Other Deaths Listed below are notices of recent deaths. More details will be published when information becomes available. Mr. William S. Cunningham, 84, Springfield, died at 8:48 p.m.

Friday in St. John's Regional Health Center. Arrangements will be announced by Greenlawn Funeral Home North. Mrs. Cuba Hall, 82, Springfield, died at 6:08 a.m.

Friday in Maranatha Manor. Arrangements will be announced by Greenlawn Funeral Home North. Mr. Earl T. Lawson 30, Bolivar, died Thursday near Halfway.

Arrangements will be announced by Butler Funeral Home. Mr. Edgar Mynott, 86, Springfield, died Thursday in Strafford Care Center, Strafford. Arrangements will be announced by Greenlawn Funeral Home North, Springfield. Hubert Floyd TANEYVILLE Hubert Floyd was born on May 11, 1906, in Brown Branch Missouri, the son of William and Josephine Alley Floyd, and departed this life at 5:30 p.m.

Wednesday, June 13, 2001, in the Forsyth Care Center, at the age of 95 years. He had been a resident of the Taneyville area since 1971, when he moved back from Washington. He was of the baptist faith and attended Taneyville Union Chapel until his health failed him. He was united in marriage to Mary Floyd and to this union was born two children. She preceded him in death in 1977.

He was also preceded in death by his parents; and 13 brothers and sisters, Mary Jackson, Mandy Jackson, Nancy Smith, Frank Floyd, Isabel Kahl, Clora McKinney, Willey Floyd, Myrtle Johnson, Kellie Floyd, Secdona Johnson, Vesta Floyd, Delpha Gilland, and Hershel Floyd. Survivors are his two children, Eugene Floyd, Grandview, and Washington and and Willagene Clark, Taneyville; five grandchildren; four great-grandchildren, three step grandchildren; three step greaf-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; three great-great-step grandchildren; one brother-in-law; and three sisters-in-law. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. today, June 16, 2001, in The Taneyville Union Chapel with the Rev. Eddie Hunsaker officiating.

Burial will be in the Helphrey Cemetery under the direction of Greenlawn Funeral Home, Branson. Anna B. Mitchell Anna B. Mitchell, 76, a Springfield resident for over 50 years, went to her rest on June 13, 2001, in her home. Anna was born October 24, 1924, in Manis, Mo.

She was a retired nurse. She is survived by her husband, Ernest Mitchell; her daughter, Patricia Cech; her grandchildren, Gayle Martin, Christopher Mitchell, Kristen Cech, Josef Cech, Kristal Mitchell, and Courtney Mitchell; and her great-grandchildren, Maggie Martin, and Maci Mitchell. Services will be at 1 p.m. Monday, June 18, 2001, in Greenlawn Funeral Home North. Visitation will be from 7 to 8 p.m.

Sunday in the funeral home. Hope; and her mother, Anna M. Schiavo, Springfield. Private services will be at a later date. Nancy M.

Keck Nancy M. Keck, 73, Springfield, died at 7:19 a.m. June 13, 2001, in St. John's Regional Health Center. Nancy was born October 24, 1927, in Brooklyn, N.Y.

She was a homemaker and a member of the VFW Auxiliary and the DAV Auxiliary. She was also a member of All Faith Chapel. She was preceded in death by her father, Santo Schiavo; and her brother, Anthony Schiavo. She is survived by her husband of 49 years, Herman; two sons, Daniel Keck and wife Christine, Bellevue, and David Keck and wife Bobbi, Pleasant Hope, four grandchildren, Maria King and husband Donnie, West Plains, Joseph Santo Keck, Bellevue, Jacob Keck, Pleasant Hope, and Teagen James Keck, Pleasant Nola Naomi Small POPLAR BLUFF Nola Naomi Small, 87, Poplar Bluff, formerly of Springfield, died at 2:45 a.m. Thursday, June 14, 2001, in Westwood Hills Nursing Home, Poplar Bluff, after a long illness.

Born in Naylor, Nola was a retired Micro-Biologist for the U.S. Government. She and her husband, Sherrill, had lived and worked in Maryland for Many years, before retiring to Springfield. She was a member of the East Sunshine Church of Christ, Springfield. Nola and her husband, Sherrill, had just celebrated 64 years of marriage, having married on June 5, 1937, in Springfield.

In addition to her husband, Nola is survived by her two sisters, Edna Robb, Corning, and Kathleen Woolard, Success, two brothers, James Woolard, Neelyville, and Reedus Woolard and his wife Lora, Success, Ark. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Monday, June 18, 2001, in Klingner Mortuary Chapel, with Mike Brazie officiating. Burial will be in Pleasant Ridge Cemetery, near Fair Grove. Visitation will be from 11 a.m.

to 1 p.m. Monday, before the services. ral ministry in California, Illinois and Minnesota, as well as being a wonderful mother to four children and a surrogate mother or friend to nearly anyone she met. While she was no longer in active ministry, she considered it her high calling to support her family in daily prayer, especially her grandchildren who she loved so dearly. Valerie was preceded in death by her parents; and an older sister, Marlys Cordelia Lester.

is survived by her husband, the Rev. Leland G. Shultz; four children, Roland Shultz and his wife Alane, Springfield, Deanna Martin and her husband Robert, Brentwood, Nancy Wray and her husband Floyd, Austin, Texas, and Thomas Shultz, M.D. an his wife Julie, Springfield, eight grandchildren, Alicia and Adam Martin, Casey Wray, and Jennifer, Jessica, Kevin, Kent and Craig Shultz; a brother, Alton Peterson and his wife Alyce; a brother-in-law, Les Lester; as well as nieces, nephews, and a host of friends. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m.

Monday, June 18, 2001, in Central Assembly of God Chapel. Officiating for the service will be life long friend, the Rev. Robert Strand. Services are under direction of Walnut Lawn DeGraffenreidWood Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 7 to 8 p.m.

Sunday in the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Southwest Missouri..