Morris: Crime

Morris isn't really the quiet town it appears to be especially the last several years sad to say....

Morris police honor officer and citizens for service, bravery Morris Sun Tribune Published Saturday, March 01, 2008

"Officer Anita Liebl was awarded the 2007 Police Officer of the Year for her continued commitment as the Morris Area School Resource Officer. Liebl (in photo, with Chief of Police Jim Beauregard) has been with the Morris police department for more than nine years, starting out as the city�s Community Service Officer. In addition to her school duties, Liebl
is often called upon to investigate allegations of child abuse for the Morris Police Department. �Her extensive training in this area and her compassion for children has been a valuable asset during difficult situations,� Beauregard said. �The City of Morris and its citizens are fortunate to have such a dedicated individual.� Additionally, two citizens also received awards. In an accompanying photo, Beauregard presents Mark Anderson (middle) and Robert Ritzschke (right) with the Citizens Valor Award for their bravery. In September 2007, Mark and Robert were traveling in a vehicle in Morris when they observed an individual with a rifle. It was apparent that the individual was preparing to harm themself, Beauregard said. �Robert and Mark, at great personal risk to themselves, intervened and were able to take the weapon away,� Beauregard said. �Because of their actions, Robert and Mark are credited with directly saving a citizens life during a dangerous situation.�

Sad News:

Man charged with attempted murder in stabbing case Morris Sun Tribune Published Tuesday, October 07, 2008

"John Lewis Longcrow, 25, was charged Monday for allegedly stabbing Ronnie White Mountain, 40, multiple times during an argument at the Lamplighter Apartment
on West 5th Street in Morris.
White Mountain was transported to Stevens Community Medical Center, then airlifted to Hennepin County Medical Center. On Monday, White Mountain was in stable condition, according to an HCMC official.
Longcrow appeared in Stevens County District Court Monday morning and was ordered held on $500,000 unconditional cash bond, or a $250,000 conditional cash bond.
The conditions are that Longcrow not leave the state, that he have no contact with White Mountain and that he stay away from the Lamplighter Apartments.
Longcrow is being held in the Traverse County Jail.
Longcrow�s arraignment is scheduled for 8:30 a.m., Oct. 13, and Judge Peter Hoff granted Longcrow a continuance on Monday so he could meet with a public defender.
Longcrow is charged with attempted murder without premeditation, first-degree assault causing great bodily harm, and second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon.
The attempted murder charge carries a penalty of 20 years in prison, the first-degree assault charge carries a penalty of 20 years and/or a $30,000 fine, and the second-degree assault charge carries a penalty of seven years and/or a $14,000 fine.
According to the complaint against Longcrow, Morris police responded to a 911 call at 11:09 p.m., Oct. 2, that a man was bleeding and needed assistance. Police Officer Shane Nelson went to White Mountain�s apartment and found him �covered in blood� from stab wounds to his abdomen and other areas of his body.
Nelson applied first aid until Emergency Medical Technicians arrived. White Mountain told Nelson that he had been stabbed by a �Johnny,� the complaint states.
At 11:35 p.m., police received another call from a citizen who was walking a few blocks from the Lamplighter Apartments and heard a man say he had been involved in a stabbing.
Police went to the location and found a man matching Longcrow�s description with fresh wounds on his hands and wrists, and blood on his sweatshirt, pants and shoes. Police concluded that the wounds were defensive injuries.
Police investigations found that a number of people were at the apartment, that White Mountain and Longcrow had argued, and that they �saw the defendant (Longcrow) make stabbing motions toward White Mountain�s abdomen while the two were in proximity to one another.�
Stevens County Attorney Charles Glasrud requested the conditional bail amount because White Mountain suffered severe wounds.
�Without prompt and skilled medical attention, he certainly wouldn�t have survived it,� Glasrud said.
White Mountain is facing legal troubles of his own.
He is scheduled to appear in court for sentencing Oct. 20 after Stevens District Court Judge Gerald Seibel accepted a guilty plea from White Mountain for making terroristic threats against Victor Melnichuk in September 2007.
Glasrud sentencing in the case is pending.
In that case, White Mountain was originally charged with armed robbery and assault with a dangerous weapon following an altercation involving an alleged poker debt.
White Mountain contended he wasn�t carrying a knife and that he said he would get a knife to protect himself only after the victim threatened to beat him.
According to the complaint against White Mountain, the Morris Police Department received a 911 call from the alleged victim, Victor Melnichuk, of Morris, at 3:56 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 8. Melnichuk claimed that White Mountain had come to the apartment seeking payment of a $5 debt Melnichuk told police he owed White Mountain.
Melnichuk told police he paid White Mountain with a $10 bill and asked for change. When White Mountain sat down, Melnichuk said he noticed a knife in White Mountain�s hand, and that he told Melnichuk �I think I am going to have to cut you,� according to the complaint.
Melnichuk told police he stood and White Mountain took �an aggressive stance.� Melnichuk said he begged for his life and told White Mountain he could take the money and leave. White Mountain went through Melnichuk� wallet, took money and left. Melnichuk stated that he had $13 or $14 in his wallet, and he identified the building and approximate location of White Mountain�s apartment, according to the complaint.
When police arrived at White Mountain�s apartment, he agreed that officers could look around the apartment, and they found $14 in a kitchen drawer. White Mountain told officers he had been to Melnichuk�s apartment earlier to get some money owed him from a poker game. He denied he had a knife and stated that Melnichuk had threatened to beat White Mountain for requesting payment of the debt and that he was going to get a knife to protect himself, according to the complaint. "

Morris Police investigate stabbing Morris Sun Tribune Published Saturday, March 15, 2008

"During the early morning hours of March 15th 2008 officers from the Morris Police Department responded to report of a disturbance and stabbing on the 500 block of West 6th street. Upon arrival, officers discovered a 29 year old male with stab wounds to his upper body. The victim was transported to the Stevens Community Medical Center in Morris where he is listed in stable condition.
The Morris Police Department continues to investigate the assault.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Morris Police department at 320-589-1155."
Update: Giese victim of stabbing Morris Sun Tribune Published Saturday, March 15, 2008
"Lucas Giese, 28, remains in stable condition and could be released from the hospital on Monday following a stabbing in Morris early Saturday morning, according to Morris Chief of Police Jim Beauregard.
Early on Saturday, March 15, Morris Police Officers responded to report of a disturbance and stabbing on the 500 block of West 6th street.
No arrests have been made in connection with the incident but police have been conducting numerous interviews, Beauregard said.
"We're trying to piece things together," he said. "We have suspects in mind but we want to make sure we're piecing a good case together."
There was a party at the residence and an argument escalated into a pushing match that moved outside the residence, which apparently is where the stabbing occurred, Beauregard said.
Giese had sustained stab wounds to his upper body. He was transported to the Stevens Community Medical Center in Morris, Beauregard said.
Police in the last three days have been identifying and interviewing potential witnesses, he said.
"By the time we got there, you can imagine a lot of people were leaving," Beauregard said.
He added that the public is not in any danger.
"It's an isolated incident," he said.
The Morris Police Department is investigating the assault, and anyone with information can contact the Morris Police Department at (320) 589-1155."
Morris Stabbing, Posted at: 03/17/2008 02:39:31 PM (KSAX)
"Morris police are investigating a stabbing.
On Friday, officers were called to a home on the 500 block of west 6th street. Upon arriving to the scene, police found a 29-year-old man that had been stabbed.
The victim was taken to the Stevens County Medical Center where he was listed in stable condition. If you have any information about this incident, you are asked to call the Morris police department at 320-589-1155."

Flemming pleads guilty in Sperr home-invasion case 05/04/2005 (Morris Sun Tribune)

" After trying unsuccessfully to change attorneys in the morning, Maxcell Flemming changed his plea in the afternoon on Tuesday. Flemming, one of three suspects in home-invasion crimes at the Leroy and Julie Sperr home near Morris, pled guilty to two counts of aggravated robbery after a morning of testimony in Stevens County District Court. Flemming, 24, of Minneapolis, has not been sentenced, but his plea could lead to 96 months in prison. Last week, Calvin Gill, 25, was convicted on 10 of 11 counts related to the Dec. 7, 2004 incident. He is in prison in St. Cloud awaiting sentencing. The Sperrs were robbed of about $30,000 worth of property, Leroy Sperr was beaten, and both Sperrs were threatened at gunpoint, subdued and tied up in the basement of their home. A third suspect, Ernest Johnson, 26, is awaiting trial in the case. As part of the plea agreement, Flemming agreed to testify against Johnson should that case go to trial, Glasrud said. �You�re never really surprised (by change of pleas),� said prosecutor Charles Glasrud, Stevens County Attorney �(Suspects) come in thinking a trial will go well, and then they hear from witnesses.�
Johnson�s attorney, Jeff Kuhn, said Wednesday that he has not consulted with his client about the two guilty pleas of his alleged companions in the Sperr case. Johnson�s pretrial was last Friday, and Flemming�s agreement to testify against Johnson would be expected as part of such a plea agreement, Kuhn said. As of Wednesday morning, Johnson had not decided if he would proceed to trial or work on a plea agreement, Kuhn said. �That�s the kind of information you relate to your client,� Kuhn said. �Then they have to decide if it impacts their decision-making process or not.�
Like Gill, Flemming was facing 10 felony counts in the case. Gill asked to have an 11th count of receiving stolen property added, and that was the one count on which he was found not guilty. Gill was apprehended in a car following a traffic stop in Starbuck soon after the crimes were reported. Flemming and Johnson were in the Sperr�s 1997 Blazer when they were apprehended in rural Pope County after a high-speed pursuit by law enforcement. Gill was convicted on two counts of kidnapping, two counts of aggravated robbery, three counts of robbery, one count of theft of a firearm, and two counts of assault. As in Gill�s case, Flemming�s formal trial began with testimony from Leroy and Julie Sperr about their experiences, and from law enforcement involved in the arrests and bookings. After testimony from Glenwood police officer Patrick Callahan, Leroy Sperr testified. Julie Sperr also testified, and Stevens County Sheriff Randy Willis testified about receiving a statement from Flemming that he tied up Julie Sperr. Flemming on Tuesday claimed he was lying to Willis, and that he was an unwilling participant in the crimes. �We was clearly trying to say Gill was the most responsible and he, Flemming, was the least responsible,� Glasrud said. Before Tuesday�s testimony began, Flemming waived his right to a jury trial -- Gill was convicted of his felonies by a 12-member jury -- and Flemming then requested a continuance of his trial Tuesday morning so he could replace his court-appointed attorney, Tracy Mitchell, of Elbow Lake. Mitchell and Flemming met in chambers with district court Judge Peter Hoff, then, after waiving his right to a jury trial, made the request for a new attorney in open court. It was the first time Mitchell and the judge were aware that Flemming wanted to change counsel. Unlike Gill, who wore a dress shirt and slacks at his trial, Flemming appeared in blue, jail-issue clothes with orange socks and brown sandals with the pant cuffs rolled up. He claimed he knew his trial date only five days previous, and that he didn�t have enough time to review the evidence in his case. Hoff asked Flemming if he believed Mitchell understood Flemming�s case. Flemming said he did believe Mitchell understood the case, but that there were �some things� he didn�t believe Mitchell could help him with regarding the case. Such as what, Hoff asked. �I�m not going to say right now,� Flemming replied. �I�ll think about that.�
�I want to get a paid attorney and see where it goes from there,� Flemming added. Hoff was not persuaded. Stevens County Attorney Charles Glasrud told the court Flemming�s trial date had been set as early as March 21, and Hoff said he didn�t get any indication from Flemming that by proceeding with Mitchell that Flemming�s case would be prejudiced. �You just haven�t done that for me,� Hoff told Flemming. The request was not timely, and no discrediting information about Mitchell was supplied, the judge said. �Basically, you�re too late,� Hoff said, denying the request. Flemming continued, however, telling the court that he felt he had been misrepresented, then asked the judge what would happen should he hire another attorney anyway. �Then (the attorney) can represent you on appeal, if, in fact, you are convicted,� Hoff said. �I don�t think that�s right,� Flemming replied. In his opening statement, Glasrud reiterated the theme he outlined in the Gill case, and he also asked the court to consider a departure from sentencing guidelines. Mitchell reserved his opening remarks, and noted that while Flemming waived a jury trial for the guilt phase of the trial, he would reserve the right to a jury for sentencing. After Callahan recounted the chase and arrests the night of the home invasion, Leroy Sperr testified about the events of Dec. 7, 2004. In addition to threatening both Leroy and Julie Sperr at gunpoint, the suspects also are accused of beating Leroy Sperr with a gun, tying up both the Sperrs, and ransacking the house looking for guns, jewelry and cash. The suspects allegedly made off with an estimated $12,000 worth of jewelry, a collection of about 21 guns owned by the Sperrs, some cash, and the couple�s 1997 S10 Blazer. Leroy Sperr testified he was dozing off watching television around 10:30 p.m. the night of the break-in when the family�s miniature dachshund began barking. He said that was unusual since the dog didn�t react much when Julie returned from her evening job at Morris Area High School. Sperr stated he notice an open door into the garage when he went to the stairs to investigate, then saw a movement in the glass of the home�s front door, leading him to believe someone was in the house. Sperr called out, asking who was in the house, thinking it was a friend playing a joke. He then testified that a person pushed open the garage door and grabbed him around the neck while another person he identified as a black man came down the stairs and began hitting him on the head with a gun. Sperr then testified he eventually crumpled to the floor and told the people �Hey, hey, hey, I�m down. You don�t have to hit me anymore.�
The man beating Sperr then put the gun to the side of Sperr�s head and threatened him. The person behind Sperr then leaned on Sperr�s back, the second man kept the gun to his head, and a third person then came down the stairs to the foyer and began to tie him up. They then dragged Sperr face-first, on his stomach, down a half-flight of stairs to a utility room in the home�s basement, Sperr testified. They heard the garage door open and Leroy Sperr told them it was his wife returning from work. He testified he said, �Don�t hurt her. She won�t give you any trouble.�
Leroy Sperr heard Julie Sperr scream, and said he became agitated when he heard a man say, while Julie was being tied up, �we could have some fun with her.�
Once the house became quiet, he began to crawl out of the utility room and found that Julie Sperr had gotten her hands free. She untied Leroy Sperr�s hands, and he cut the restraints off his legs while Julie called 911. Both Leroy and Julie Sperr took turns talking to the 911 operator, and Leroy went outside to await law enforcement. He later was taken to a health care facility by ambulance. Since the incident, he testified he�s suffered severe neck pain and persistent headaches. Gill later was apprehended in Starbuck after being stopped initially for speeding. A Starbuck police officer then noticed three handguns in the car Gill was driving and arrested him. After Glenwood police were called to assist, they noticed a vehicle fitting the description of Sperr�s Blazer traveling east on Highway 28 and gave chase. The vehicle reached speeds of 90 miles per hour, and a State Patrol officer eventually deployed �Stop Sticks� to disable the vehicle near Westport and Johnson and Flemming were taken into custody without incident. Callahan reported that a loaded .45 caliber handgun was recovered between Starbuck and Glenwood that apparently was thrown from vehicle during the pursuit. Items stolen from the Sperr residence were found in the stolen vehicle and also in the vehicle stopped by Starbuck police.

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