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Assistant prosecutor discusses assault case

Friday, June 20, 2008
By KATHY FAIRCHILD/Staff writer

Saline County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Joby Raines is clear on one thing -- there is nothing more important than protecting our children.

"I can't think of anything more important," he said.

Raines was the state's attorney in the trial of Ronald L. Trower, who was convicted Thursday, June 19, by a Pettis County jury of 1st degree assault of his then-six-week-old son, Joel Trower, in August 2007.

Trower could face life in prison for the assault that left his son severely "neurologically devastated," blind in one eye and with just 10 percent vision in the other. Raines said the child is now breathing on his own, but still has a gastric tube inserted and has shown little improvement in his overall condition.

When the child was taken to Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, further examination revealed several rib fractures on both sides of his chest, evidence that the violent treatment of the child was on-going.

"In that child's short life, he was assaulted and tortured. It was all he knew of life," said Raines.

At the trial, Defense Attorney Bret Kaiser argued for a reduced charged of 2nd degree assault, asserting that Trower did not intend to harm the boy when he punched the child in an attempt to "make him hush."

Raines said it was a very difficult and exhausting trial.

"It's the first trial of this type for me," he said, "And one of the most emotional, especially since it involved such a young child."

Raines said Joel was not the only child in Trower's care.

He and the woman he lived with, Michelle A. Keller, have two children.

During the investigation of the assault on Joel, the other child was found to suffer from "failure to thrive," which can result from parental neglect or abuse.

Keller was then charged with two counts of class C felony of 1st degree endangering of the welfare of a child.

Keller posted bond and was released Aug. 23, 2007. According to information available on Missouri Case.net, the trial is expected to begin in Saline County Monday, June 30, under judge Dennis A. Rolf. Keller has engaged an attorney from Tulsa, Okla., to defend her.

Contact Kathy Fairchild at marshallhealth@socket.net

Comments

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Bluerose and Reading Along - there is an additional story on Joel Trower, in case you missed it. http://www.marshallnews.com/story/145118...

Bluerose - I hope your friend will read all of these stories.

-- Posted by Kathy Fairchild on Mon, Aug 25, 2008, at 8:25 PM

Wow, I don't know what to say about all this- I have a girlfreind that is writing Ron in Jail - He told her he was in jail for something totally differant. I just learned of his sentencing today and i happened to type his name on the web and came across all this. The man is sick, he asked my girlfriend to marry him. I printed out everything on about him and took it to her. Trying to tell her dont marry a man in prison, he lied to you. and i couldnt help but CRY when i told her what he did. it is sick. she has 3 boys. It shocked her. If anyone knows of any other information i would like to let her know. thank you. She has been writing him for like 6 months. I told her to Stop. The people in Jail do not know what Ron did. He told them lies too.

-- Posted by Bluerose on Sat, Aug 9, 2008, at 6:51 PM

I think what was done to this child was horrible and, truly, there are no excuses for it.

Being very close to this particular case - it's so strange to read others comments about Ron. My relation to the case and the people involved in it is one that I have no control over - and much of what is said is true.

Howver, a little more should be said about Ron than is revealed in any of the reading I've seen. He never should have been left alone with these children -- this was a mistake that was made by more than one person other than Ron himself. He is not capable of handling the task at hand, quite obviously. Secondly - Joel was taken to the hospital another time that he sustained injuries (was mentioned in the article about having previous signs of having been abused) - and the hospital sent the child home with Ron -- this should have NEVER happened. A baby with such obvious injuries should never have been released back in the parents' care without an investigation. So - many times the system (state or otherwise) has failed Joel -- only now are they starting to do something about it.

Feel free to send me comments as I am very interested in what others are thinking about this case that I wish I was not so close to.

-- Posted by ReadingAlong on Tue, Jul 8, 2008, at 12:39 AM

He will get whats coming to him in prison!!!!!!

-- Posted by Gal66 on Mon, Jun 23, 2008, at 6:17 AM

I gotta say, life in prison is not enough for something like this. However, I believe a greater punishment is coming for this coward under God's hand!

-- Posted by onpoint on Sat, Jun 21, 2008, at 8:16 AM

Congats Joby on a job well done!!

-- Posted by Get A Grip on Sat, Jun 21, 2008, at 3:37 AM

i agree he deserves to get life although it is still to easy for him because he can do things still that, that poor baby wont get to do. i know the kids he hurt in the past and all these kids deserved more then they was given. Jody you deserve the biggest hug and pat on the back.

-- Posted by luvmy4 on Sat, Jun 21, 2008, at 2:14 AM

I agree he deserves life. I know some of the ones he has mistreated in the past. They are innocent and now they are scared for life. Joby Raines does deserve and big hug and pat on the back. Heart goes out to the kids and best of luck.

-- Posted by luvmy4 on Sat, Jun 21, 2008, at 2:01 AM

I think its pretty sad when they say he didnt mean to hurt the child like he did no one should ever be able to put there hands on a child like that and get way with it. I think he should get life in prison. My prayers are with the little boy.

-- Posted by angeleyes1977 on Fri, Jun 20, 2008, at 10:59 PM

oh boy i see hes struck again all i can say i know for a fact hes done it before and spent 5 years in prison for it people need to check into there back grounds before thay get with a man r women thats been in prison and find out the facts

-- Posted by angel1968 on Fri, Jun 20, 2008, at 6:37 PM

I have had the pleasure of holding this beautiful little boy. After seeing how horribly dented the back of his head is, how his eyes stare off into space, and how he looks the same now as he did 6 months ago because he's hardly growing, I can only say thanks to Joby and the jury that convicted this man. I hope someone has a big enough heart to adopt this little boy and his siblings, and give them the love that they have been deprived of at such young ages. I'm sure the foster family that has him now also deserves a pat on the back. I can only imagine how many doctor, therapy, and counseling visits they've had to deal with, on top of caring for a now special needs child. Kudos to everyone involved in this childs life! :)

-- Posted by Oldblackcat on Fri, Jun 20, 2008, at 6:21 PM