Marshall, Missouri · Thursday, July 29, 2010
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Bockstetter trial interrupted; special prosecutor collapses in courthouse

Wednesday, March 10, 2010
By KATHY FAIRCHILD/Staff writer
(Photo)
A Saline County Ambulance crew was called to the courthouse about 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 10, after Special Prosecutor George Stafford collapsed while questioning a witness.
(Eric Crump/Democrat-News)
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Special prosecutor George L. Stafford collapsed in a Saline County courtroom Wednesday afternoon, March 10, as he questioned a witness in the bench trial of Scott H. Bockstetter, a Marshall police officer accused of class A misdemeanor assault in the third degree.

Bockstetter was charged with the assault on a teenage girl after an incident at his home January 31. According to the probable cause statement released by the sheriff's department, the girl said the incident began when Bockstetter objected to her choice of date for a school dance.

He allegedly put her in a choke hold, pinned her to the ground, slapped her face and threw her into a wall, according to the report.

Opening statements had been completed and Stafford was questioning the victim when he fell to one knee in front of the witness box and appeared to be having difficulty standing up again. Emergency responders were called to the courthouse a few minutes later.

Additional information will be posted as it becomes available.

Related story:
Bockstetter opts for bench trial:
www.marshallnews.com/story/1607992.html
Marshall police officer arrested after allegedly assaulting teen:
www.marshallnews.com/story/1606998.html

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Comments
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Any word on how Mr. Stafford is doing now?

-- Posted by OldOwl on Thu, Mar 18, 2010, at 8:52 AM

working mom: the paper handled it in good taste. only reported the details to show why the trial was suspended. did not give any other info on his medical condition. why not show some concern for him instead of criticizing the report.

-- Posted by proudmarshallite on Wed, Mar 17, 2010, at 8:05 AM

I wish George the best...and then trial will proceed regardless of his health....let the court rule...JMHO

This is the price all pay for being a public figure....regardless of health condition...

-- Posted by Dave in MidMO on Thu, Mar 11, 2010, at 3:02 PM

Once again, this is my opinion that I have commented so I respect yours also, but please remember I simply opined.

-- Posted by workingmom on Thu, Mar 11, 2010, at 2:31 PM

workingmom - had they put his diagnosis in the paper, or what medication he was on, or had this happened in his own home, I might agree with you. But this happened in the midst of a very public venue, of a high profile case, and given the very skimpy details, I would hardly call this "personal medical info"...it's really no different than reporting that someone was taken out of a car wreck in a c-collar or on a stretcher. The paper has a duty to report why the trial came to a very sudden stop, and I think that they did so quite well.

I hope Mr. Stafford is doing well! I'll be interested to read how this affects the trial.

-- Posted by koeller77 on Thu, Mar 11, 2010, at 1:59 PM

Kathy, I know that it occurred in public-- but really, I think this is in bad taste. He is such a good man and to have to deal with his ordeal being in the paper for all to read is not a pleasant thing.

Also Kathy,in my opinion this is "personal medical info" I never said it was info that fell under coverage of HIPPA-- I just said it was personal medical info-- so your categorization of what kind of info this is subject to opinion.

-- Posted by workingmom on Thu, Mar 11, 2010, at 9:24 AM
Response by Eric Crump/Editor:
I asked Kathy to write the story. It's news because it affects a high-interest criminal case. I don't argue your point about taste. Some of what we must report is considered in poor taste by a portion of the community.

George is one of the finest fellows of the law in Saline county. Hope all is well!

-- Posted by SalineFire on Thu, Mar 11, 2010, at 7:30 AM

Agreed workingmom. Hope George is ok.

-- Posted by prd123 on Thu, Mar 11, 2010, at 7:18 AM

Scott, hope it all works out for you! Sometimes the public doesn't know the whole story....

-- Posted by Gumby on Wed, Mar 10, 2010, at 9:17 PM

Yes I would like to know how George is doing. I agree he is a great guy!

-- Posted by movaldude on Wed, Mar 10, 2010, at 8:03 PM

I just want to know if George is alright. He's a good man.

-- Posted by captaingbb on Wed, Mar 10, 2010, at 5:36 PM

workingmom: This doesn't fall under the category of "personal medical info." It occurred in the middle of a public trial in the courthouse.

-- Posted by Kathy Fairchild on Wed, Mar 10, 2010, at 4:36 PM

Really, does his personal medical info like this need to be in the paper.

-- Posted by workingmom on Wed, Mar 10, 2010, at 3:52 PM

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