Gilliam man pleads guilty to drug charges

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

By KATHY FAIRCHILD/Staff writer

Jerry D. George, 38, of Gilliam, pleaded guilty to drug charges in Saline County Circuit Court, Monday, Oct. 20.

George, who is the son of Saline County Sheriff Wally George, was charged with six counts of felony possession of controlled substances and possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to manufacture controlled substances. He was arrested Aug. 31, 2007, and released on bond after spending more than two weeks in custody.

Judge Michael L. Midyett ordered a pre-sentence investigation; sentencing is set for 10 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 11.

Contact Kathy Fairchild at marshallhealth@socket.net

Comments

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It's a lose-lose situation for the paper...if they do print that he's the son of the sheriff, they get jumped on, but if they didn't, there would be just as many jumping on the them because they DIDN'T print that he was the son of the sheriff.

Personally, I think anytime you have an elected public official, there is going to be a link made in the media. Think about how many stories there were about the Bush daughters and their underage drinking. While I don't necessarily agree with it, I understand that it does reflect upon the elected public official in some respect and I feel that they are correct in making that link.

If nothing else, in this case, maybe it will help stop the inevitable (and unfounded) rumors about "special treatment" because he's the sherriff's son.

-- Posted by koeller77 on Tue, Oct 28, 2008, at 8:38 AM

WHO REALLY CARES WHO SON HE IS ALL I KNOW IS HE NEEDS TO GO DOWN FOR A LONG TIME! THIS IS WHY MISSOURI IS THE TOP STATE FOR THIS DRUG! THEY TO LOCK HIM UP AND THROW AWAY THE KEY!

-- Posted by amh on Mon, Oct 27, 2008, at 11:24 AM

I wasn't expecting to change your opinion. Naturally, I would expect that you wouldn't knowingly print something that you thought was wrong, underhanded or intentionally harmful. I was sure that the contributors and the editor would feel certain in their stand on the issue. That doesn't change how it looks to the public, nor does it change my opinion. Thanks!

-- Posted by two sides on Mon, Oct 27, 2008, at 9:04 AM

two sides: I understand that there are some people who feel we're overstepping the bounds by mentioning Sheriff George in these stories. But I have to take exception of your comment that this is "dirty." That word carries, at least for me, a connotation that we are doing something underhanded or intentionally harmful. That's not the case at all. As Eric pointed out in another post, this is our policy and it applies equally to any public figure.

-- Posted by Kathy Fairchild on Sun, Oct 26, 2008, at 5:20 PM

I personally feel that after the months and months of coverage that this case has been through, we all know that Jerry is the "son of Sheriff Wally George". I feel that it is unnecessary to continuously throw that in these articles. I mean honestly if Wally were not the Sheriff and he were a school bus driver would the media write "Jerry George is the son of School Bus Driver Wally George". Give it a rest already!!!

Our prayers are with you Wally and Jerry!!

-- Posted by Steelmagnolia on Sat, Oct 25, 2008, at 9:27 AM

Response by Eric Crump/Editor:

I'm sympathetic to your point (made by a number of others, too), but like it or not, public officials receive different treatment by the media than do other citizens. They know that when they sign up for the job. We mean no disrespect to Sheriff George by noting his relation to Jerry George. It's a fact that readers have a right to know. It should be clear from our stories that it is Jerry -- not Wally -- who was accused and has since pleaded guilty to drug law violations. Whether the fact of their relationship needs to be mentioned in each story is arguable; however, each story is part of a public record created by the paper. In years hence, someone may read one story and not another, so I would argue each story needs to include that fact. Others can (and do) argue otherwise.

I disagree with you, Kathy. How often do you list the parents names in other reports of criminal activity? I don't think your decision to print the father's name was one that reflects professionalism. It's rural Missouri and everybody knows everybody. The public would have gotten word of who this gentleman's father was without your advertisement.

I didn't read "Carla Dankenbring, daughter of..(or wife of..) and I didn't read "the Malta Bend Man who beat another man with a baseball bat was the son of...."

Sorry, I think it looks dirty on your part. Much respect - just my opinion.

-- Posted by two sides on Fri, Oct 24, 2008, at 10:58 AM

i mean could we stick up for george anymore!!!

-- Posted by amh on Fri, Oct 24, 2008, at 10:50 AM

amh: Your fear that George may escape with "a slap on the wrist" may not be justified. Here's a story we published on this case that suggests just the opposite:

http://www.marshallnews.com/story/126926...

-- Posted by Kathy Fairchild on Fri, Oct 24, 2008, at 6:57 AM

the language i have used i have seen worse! i cant help that its the truth! anyways who cares he is just going to get a slap on the wrist im sure! im glad you guys mentoined that is was the sheriff's son it needs to be seen!

-- Posted by amh on Thu, Oct 23, 2008, at 2:38 PM

mmmm.....mmmmm.....mkay!

-- Posted by onpoint on Wed, Oct 22, 2008, at 10:44 PM

Drugs are bad.....mmmmmkay!

-- Posted by cutler06 on Wed, Oct 22, 2008, at 9:44 AM

prd123: In all the stories we've written about this case, only once have we failed to mention the connection between father and son. Since Sheriff George is a public figure, that's an appropriate thing for us to do.

-- Posted by Kathy Fairchild on Wed, Oct 22, 2008, at 6:30 AM

what a adult child does has no bearing on a parent, it all kinda goes back to the saying... "you can lead a horse to water but you cant make them drink it" someplace in bible it says.. something about, raise the child up in the way they shall go, and they will return to it?? or let the man without sin, cast the first stone?? we as parents do our level best to raise our kids, however the way of the world will sway us all in some way or another.. leave judging the parent and child to a higher power, the rest will fall into place, prayers go out for the family and all that has addictions be it drugs alcohol or cigs. God bless the sinner.

-- Posted by lhcg on Wed, Oct 22, 2008, at 4:23 AM

no amh, your comment was thrown out because the editors are too sexy for your truth....(remix)......

-- Posted by onpoint on Tue, Oct 21, 2008, at 9:50 PM

im staying on topic send him down for a long long time!!! i see my other comment was thrown out why because it was the truth

-- Posted by amh on Tue, Oct 21, 2008, at 9:30 PM

Response by Eric Crump/Editor:

Your previous comment was removed because of the language you used.

So was it really necessary to state that he is the son of Wally George? I mean honestly. I don't recall reading about who the "Georgia Man's" parents are that just got 10 years on a drug bust.

-- Posted by prd123 on Tue, Oct 21, 2008, at 8:46 PM

slatergrad you are correct I know first hand about the comment you made

-- Posted by SALINE47 on Tue, Oct 21, 2008, at 4:38 PM

Those closest to the families will understand my comment.

-- Posted by slatergrad on Tue, Oct 21, 2008, at 4:00 PM

WTF slater grad lmfao........u make no sense

-- Posted by GOCHIEFS on Tue, Oct 21, 2008, at 3:07 PM

There are some parents that do not have a part of their childrens life also and some children that have nothing to do with the parents life. I really feel unless you are closely involved with the families that no opinon could be the correct one. Our judgement day will come to us all. Thank you Jack for sticking by your son.......God Bless you!

-- Posted by slatergrad on Tue, Oct 21, 2008, at 2:14 PM

This is not a reflection on Wally George. Good parents have kids that go astray and there are lots of bad parents that have good kids. Do not judge until you have walked in someones shoes.

-- Posted by tommob on Tue, Oct 21, 2008, at 1:38 PM

We are Praying for you Wally!!

-- Posted by 17mizzou17 on Tue, Oct 21, 2008, at 12:44 PM

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