Herald and Review from Decatur, Illinois • Page 3

ce NTRA A3 Herald Review Thursday, August 3, 1995 LLINO i ii i i.i in. mu miwwi mi i i nun 'J? mm Local director of United We Stand wants Perot, national leaders to keep distance. By JOHN C. PATTERSON Staff Writer ference in Dallas. The convention features nearly every presidential hopeful, and an array of political speakers vying for the influential independent vote.

Now, those who either left or are thinking of leaving United We Stand, America must decide whether to stay involved in politics. Koenig outlined three options breakaway members have: forming a parallel group, starting a new group or doing nothing. "Considering their past grass roots commitment to reform government at all levels, I have a feeling that they will wish to exercise one of the first two options," Koenig said. "As long as the Dallas organization isn't "There was no mass resignation. There's nothing this office has done to injure the state organization," Torgersen said.

Despite what Patkus considered a strong-armed approach from the national leaders, he said support for reforming government remains. In fact, Patkus said if elections occurred today, the local organizations would support either Pat Buchanan or Ross Perot. "We think (Perot) is the right man, but question one or two of his tactics," Patkus said. He would not elaborate. The dispute between local groups and the national organization comes less than two weeks before the national United We Stand, America con cludes Decatur.

"We wish to maintain a little more distance." Patkus remains with the organization but is considering resigning. Already 10 of the 21 members of the board of directors of the state organization quit, including chairman and president Jack Koenig. He released a statement Wednesday saying the "mass exodus" followed attempts "to undermine the organization." He claimed the national United We Stand, America office in Palatine plotted to remove him from office. Don Torgersen, the state director of United We Stand, America's national organization, said the claims had no truth. Torgersen said Koenig tried and failed to have board members removed, after which he resigned.

DECATUR The local United We Stand director walked out of a recent statewide meeting, joining others protesting what they say is an attempt by Ross Perot and other national leaders to take over the local groups. "It just seems like every day the people from Dallas wanted to take over our grass roots organizations," said John "Bob" Patkus, the United We Stand, America director for the 19th Congressional District, which in Perot Patkus Said it seemed like the people from Dallas wanted to take over local groups. Would be among top choices for president from United We Stand, America members, Patkus says. n. Coles County Fair (iMQ(gtt mm I' New ft 1 xt 'V gin i i Heaton says new evidence will refute tests linking him to girl's murder.

By SCOn PERRY Effingham Bureau Chief AND ALIA Stuart Heaton is continuing his legal battle, three years after a Fayette County jury convicted him of stabbing a pregnant Ramsey girl to death. Heaton has filed a petition in Fayette County Circuit Court seeking to have his first-degree murder conviction and life sentence vacated and a new trial held. The petition alleges there is new evidence to refute the accuracy of the DNA testing used to link Heaton to the crime scene. It also says there is "strong evidence" that another person murdered Krystal Lynn Naab. The petition centers around an allegation that attorney William Farr failed to properly represent Heaton during his 1992 trial and sentencing.

During a hearing last week, Circuit Judge Dennis Middendorff reinstated attorney Don Sheafor as special prosecutor. Sheafor is the former Fayette County state's attorney who prosecuted Heaton. A hearing was scheduled for Aug. 30 to argue a defense request to seek additional information. Naab, 16, bled to death in her rural Ramsey home after she was stabbed 81 times with sewing scissors.

Heaton was linked to the July 23, 1991 murder by a spot of semen found on Naab's body and reports of a white pickup truck seen near Naab's home that day. But the petition offers possible evidence against another individual. It alleges that man claimed to have murdered a girl in Ramsey; that he was driving a white pickup truck on the day of the murder; and that he was seen with Naab that day or the day before. The petition, filed by by the Chicago law firm of Jenner Block, states, "Trial counsel either did not recognize, or chose to ignore, the obvious significance of evidence in the grand jury proceeding that another individual may have committed the crime." It also criticized Farr for failing to prevent the DNA findings from being admitted into evidence. "Mr.

Hea ton's trial counsel waived an objection which, if properly raised, would have led to the exclusion of the only significant evidence implicating Mr. Heaton of this crime," the petition states. Defense attorneys appealed Heaton's conviction, arguing the trial judge should have allowed a special hearing to challenge the reliability of the DNA testing procedures. Two weeks before the judge decided against a hearing, a National Research Council report said the specific test was not generally accepted by the scientific community. The 5th District Appellate Court upheld Heaton's conviction, concluding that the judge had not abused his discretion by allowing the DNA evidence.

In his dissenting opinion, Judge Philip J. Rarick wrote: "I would consider the case on the basis of ineffective assistance of counsel. Defense counsel was aware of the NRC Report, and its importance was readily apparent." The Illinois Supreme Court refused to hear an appeal concerning the admissibility of DNA evidence. For the Herald Review Carlos T. Miranda 2HD-PLACE FINISH: Ranbell Finn races Bold Jake during the second harness race Wednesday at the Coles County Fair in Charleston.

Family's exhibits flourish with each passing year 1 AH Alleged abuse sparks civil lawsuit a. were lots of Japanese beetles." The Ravis raise cucumbers, squash, beans, pears, watermelon, and plants. Kananur Ravi's huge hibiscus and rubber tree attracted much attention from those browsing the hall. A native of India, Ravi has lived in Charleston since 1982. He works at the Farmers Home Administration, and his wife is a Walgreen's employee.

His children have participated in 4-H for years. Last year, he took home close to $100 in premiums from his entries. Not bad, considering a first prize finish earns $3. "Bless him," said Eloise Newby of Charleston, who supervises the horticulture, agriculture and culinary categories. "We had about a fourth of our usual entries this year, so we're glad he's here." Newby blamed the low turnout By DEBBIE PIERCE Mattoon Bureau Chief CHARLESTON The Coles County Fair is always special for the Ravi family of Charleston.

The Ravis have been entering their vegetables, flowers and plants in competition for the past eight years. They've taken home stacks of ribbons, some prize money and a lot of satisfaction. "We work together it's a family thing," Kananur Ravi said Wednesday, before the flower and plant judging at Art Hall. "My degree is in agriculture. My family likes it also." Ravi, his wife, Shaila, 17-year-old daughter Sapna and 11-year-old son Sagar brought 84 entries to this year's competition 24 more than they entered last year.

"It was harder this year," Ravi recalled. "We had to water more than in the past, and there For the Herald Review Carlos T. Miranda FINISHING TOUCH: Ashley-Bumpus, 12, of Charleston combs and cleans a cross-bred cow Wednesday at the fair. Beck. The lawsuit claims Beck abused Pacotti on two occasions, including punching him and bouncing a ball off of his head.

The lawsuit holds the nursing home responsible because Beck was an employee. As a result, the lawsuit states, Pacotti "sustained severe and permanent injuries, both externally and internally." The lawsuit contends Pacotti will be unable to maintain his routine because of the injuries. It also says that medical treatment he has had and will need as a result of the alleged attack will require "large sums of money." Beck, represented by Shelby County Public Defender Bill Thomas, pleaded not guilty to the criminal charge on Monday. The case is scheduled for trial Oct. 2.

By SARAH ANDERSON Taylorville Bureau Chief SHELBYVILLE A man alleged to have been physically abused by an employee of Shelby-ville Manor is suing the worker and nursing home for an unspecified amount of money. Authorities charged Clayton Beck, 19, of Pana with felony abuse, alleging he punched Tony Pacotti, a resident of the nursing home's Alzheimer's Special Care Unit. The criminal charge was filed after two other nursing home workers on June 15 reported they had witnessed the alleged attack in April or May. Marsha Blackman, on Pacotti's behalf, filed a lawsuit last week in Shelby County Circuit Court against the nursing home and of vegetable entries on heavy spring rains and abundant bugs. But the late rains produced twice the usual number of fruit entries.

She said Ravi manages to take time off from work every year to bring his family's entries to the Art Hall. "He had two vanloads this year," she added. Judges looked over the vegetables, fruits and crafts on Monday, cakes and cookies on Tuesday and flowers and plants on Wednesday. The exhibits will be on display through Saturday morning. CQ hMlf 14 ii County offices won't be able to settle in Ambassador until at least September.

By JOHN C. PATTERSON Staff Writer IP to close payment center Oct. 13 DECATUR Illinois Power Co. on Tuesday announced it will close its downtown payment center to all walk-in business on Oct. 13.

The utility company said July 14 it planned to close the center at 134 E. Main St. by this faU. Illinois Power said it intends to open eight payment centers by Oct. 13 that will be staffed by employees of the grocery or convenience stores.

Utility customers will be able to pay their bills at the centers, but all service-related questions will be handled through a toll-free number, 1-800-755-5000. The changes will not affect overall staffing at Illinois Power, the company said. Stolen goods found, then missed DECATUR A 66-year-old Decatur man reported Wednesday to police that items valued at $1,945 were stolen between Saturday and Monday from a garage at his house in the 600 block South Oakland Avenue. However, even before the man reported the loss, officers had recovered the property from under a hedge in the 800 block of West Decatur Street, said police Master Sgt. David Slade.

A woman living in that block had notified police she found items in her back yard that did not belong to her, Slade said. Among the property were several sets of wheel covers, car wheels, an electric drill and a floor buffer. Burglars hammer way into store DECATUR Burglars likely used a sledgehammer to batter their way through a door at Waterbed Creations, 2825 N. Main between 9 p.m. Tuesday and 7:50 a.m.

Wednesday. A facsimile machine, a cassette player, a number of cassettes and cash with a total value of more than $800 were taken in the break-in. A snack machine was also broken into and damaged. Parade to feature Fredbird DECATUR St. Louis Cardinals mascot Fredbird was named Wednesday the grand marshal of the Decatur Celebration's McDonaldsMillikin University Razzle Dazzle Good times Parade.

The parade begins at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 5 in downtown Decatur. It includes 110 entries featuring dozens of bands, floats and marching units. Beresford Plaza, 101 S.

Main while the Circuit Clerk will occupy a building owned by Tick Properties in the 100 block of South Church Street. Now, upcoming elections and tax collection cycles further complicate scheduling a moving date. Real estate taxes are due in September. The Decatur school board, Richland Community College Board of Trustees and area fire districts have elections in November. Both events would be busy times to attempt a move.

Fogerson said he is working with all department heads to arrange a moving schedule that is as accommodating as possible. But sacrifices have to be made, most notably in courtroom space. Eight courtrooms will move to the Ambassador, making a tight fit, Fogerson said. "If a major, high-profile case comes up, we're going to be hurting," he said. The courtrooms will be able to seat up to 40 people.

Still, building officials remain optimistic about the projects. "Whatever happens we're going to have to deal with it," said Nick Striglos, building commission chairman. DECATUR A move of county offices and courts from the asbestos-filled Macon County Building to the remodeled Ambassador hotel won't come until after September, building officials said Wednesday. "Things would have to go absolutely like clockwork to get them in anytime before mid- to late September," Decatur Public Building Commission manager Gary Fogerson told commission members. He said afterward he could not be more specific.

The county building will close for 14 months while asbestos is removed at a cost of $4.7 million. County offices not involved with the circuit court operations already had planned to move to the remodeled eight-story Ambassador hotel at 141 S. Main St. That move was supposed to begin last month. However, the detection of asbestos ceiling tiles on all seven floors of the county building forced the remaining courtrooms, state's attorney, circuit clerk and other offices to move as well.

The State's Attorney's Office and Probation Department will move to.