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Northwest Missourian

Thursday, October 24, 2013

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PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY BRITTANY EHLERS | NWMISSOURIAN

Community attempts to make sense of differing stories Two-year-old alleged rape case might get second chance with new special prosecutor Brandon Zenner News Editor | @brandonzenner

Unlike the Facebook event intended, 2,400 people did not fill Maryville’s town square to support the victim of an alleged sexual assault. The girl receiving the support did not make an appearance, but the undersized crowd’s mes-

sage was clear. Clouds filled the dusk sky, a brisk autumn breeze swept the streets and daisies were raised in the air in support of a girl who said she was sexually assaulted. “Being here today isn’t enough,” event organizer Courtney Cole explained into a megaphone to the attentive crowd of 300-plus. “There is more work to be done to stop rape and abuse from happening.” A news station’s helicopter hovered over the intersection of Fourth and Main streets. Hundreds of daisies were lifted in support, almost as if to signify Daisy’s presence.

Daisy Coleman, who was 14 at the time of the incident, is the alleged victim who spoke out about the tragic events from January 2012 in which she claims she was sexually abused. Daisy and a friend crept out her window after a night of drinking and watching scary movies to hang out with a Maryville High School classmate, who also happened to be a football player and relative of former Missouri House of Representatives Rep. Rex Barnett. Daisy recalls Matthew Barnett, who was a senior at the time, bringing her and her friend to the basement of his home where Daisy was handed a large glass of a colorless liquid. After

that specific moment, Daisy cannot recall anything. The identity of the second alleged victim was not released in the story investigated and written by Dugan Arnett in the Kansas City Star Oct. 13. The story was spotlighted on national news outlets and caused a social media firestorm. Paige Parkhurst, the alleged second victim, finally went public to a curious nation. Paige claimed that she was taken into a room and was sexually assaulted after telling the boy no. She was forced to wait in the living

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Maryville will have to wait for breakfast destination TAYLOR LYNCH Chief Reporter | @oldsoulexplorer

It turns out that among the rumors spread during the past few days, word of the popular restaurant Denny’s making its way to Maryville was more false than Hilary Swank shopping at Hy-Vee. As more and more businesses continue to spring up throughout the community, including Gamestop, Jimmy John’s and Rue 21, it

would come as no surprise to learn that the arrival of a breakfast restaurant chain had been planned for the near future. However, it could not be confirmed that a Denny’s restaurant would be coming to Maryville anytime soon. Work with other local business owners nearby does not make the possibility seem so out of reach. A lot of work with RED Legacy representative Brandon Haverty has been accomplished in the last few

months. Haverty emphasized the positive influences created by bringing national tenants to the Maryville area. The inclusion of such companies should attract more consumers from surrounding areas, and other national businesses as competition. As no rumor has proved true yet, students and the rest of the community will have to wait patiently for the next big thing to make its way to Maryville.

Federal Loan Default Rates 5.6% 9.1% 12.5%

Northwest Missouri State University

State of Missouri

Missourian Reporter | @ECH816

Northwest ranks high in paying back federal loans News Editor | @brandonzenner

Despite heaps upon heaps of college loan debt for students nationwide, Northwest Bearcats are in good, non debt defaulting, company. When it comes to paying off student loans, Northwest is among the best at preparing students to do so successfully. The Department of Education recently found that only 5.6 percent of Northwest students default on their federal loans, compared to 4.4 percent in 2011.

Those numbers, though, are low compared to the state and national averages of 9.1 percent and 12.6 percent, respectively. Provost Doug Dunham states this is a credit to students’ ability to find jobs upon graduating from the University. “It means first and foremost that our students are successful in finding employment because of their ability to pay their loans,” Dunham said. “Two, I think it says something about the commitment of our students to meet their obligations. “I’ve always been impressed with

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Jayhawk fan has license to show his college pride Ian Echlin

National

Brandon Zenner

blogs.riverfronttimes.com

Missouri resident Toby Gettler’s license plate was ruled not obscene in nature by an appellate court after it was originally ruled obscene.

the work ethic of Northwest students.” Dunham praises the Office of Scholarships and Financial Assistance on its ability to assist students in preparing for their financial situations upon leaving college. “Our financial aid office presses on students ‘don’t take out any more money than you absolutely need,’” Dunham said. “...(Especially) at a time when accountability is high, the federal government in particular is taking a close look at financial assistance.”

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A recent case in Missouri appellate court ruled in favor of a Kansas Jayhawk fan. The case ruled Toby Gettler’s license plate saying “MZU SUX” was not obscene in nature. “Anything with profanity or negativity they won’t allow that per statute; they don’t allow anything like that,” said Rose, Operator 354 of the Missouri Department of Revenue. It is against protocol for Rose to release her last name. Gettler’s license plate was originally ruled obscene. The term obscene is merely an opinion and varies from person to person. The term is usually related to lewd behavior. The “MZU SUX” license plate might be where the line will be drawn. Any word down the line from “sucks” would be considered profane. Gettler convinced the court his use of the word meant “subpar” or “mediocre.”

Northwest Missourian

“Kids see those license plates and that isn’t really something that kids need to see,” Northwest junior Evan Oltremare said. Missouri statutes outline that the state wants to stay away from distracting personalized license plates. The state also doesn’t want its likeness portrayed negatively. “They just don’t want to represent the state of Missouri with something like that driving around on the Missouri highways, any type of profanity or anything like that. It gives our state a bad name with plates driving around with bad language and profanity on it,” Rose said. Driving with a Missouri license plate that says “MZU SUX” could cause harm to the driver. Missourians everywhere would be appalled, but Gettler faces the risk on his own. “His license plate says Missouri on it, but he says MZU SUX… My license plate would say “MZU ROX,” Oltremare said.

JUMPS According to Inside Higher Ed, after President Barack Obama announced his plan to rate colleges on value, “the U.S. Department of Education released draft standards for the employment outcomes of academic programs at for-profit institutions and community colleges.” Discussions began in September to set minimum gainful-employment rules for higher education programs to receive federal financial aid. There was an attempt to make the changes in 2010, but the proposal did not pass without adjustments. The adjustments made the proposal less strict, so universities that fell below the threshold would not immediately lose aid eligibility. If the initial proposal, without any adjustments, had passed, 90 percent of universities would have received federal aid; ironically, with the adjustments that were made, only 79 percent of universities would receive aid. The government’s attempt to crack down on federal aid comes as default rates continue to rise nationally, which in turn affects the economy and students who are attempting to pay back loans in said economy. “There are reputable proprietary schools out there, but there are some that have designed a system so that they are getting students in and out without the ability to get a job, and that is when the government really started paying attention to financial assistance…” Dunham said. According to the State Higher Education Executive Officer’s Association, Missouri is below average in net tuition revenue and in financial aid that is given to full-time students in the state. The average federal loan of Northwest students comes in at around $23,000 a year, compared to nearly $26,000 nationally. Also, Northwest sets up its students for success with a graduation rate of 57 percent, which is 19 percent higher than the national average. Northwest also has a placement rate of 97.5 percent for graduating students. Del Morley, director of financial assistance, said the University wants to help students avoid debt after college as much as possible. With the economy being down and a tougher and lower-paying job market, Northwest will continue to do what it can to keep rates low. “The percentage of people that have been denied Parent PLUS loans because of credit issues has continued to increase,” Morley said. “When that happens, students can borrow more money. (They) are gradually accumulating more debt, going into a not-sohot job market, and it’s been tough for the whole country.” Morley attributes the success of keeping default rates low to the type of students Northwest attracts. “I think a lot of it has to do with people with the Midwestern mentality. We take care of business,” Morley said. “Live like a poor college kid now so you don’t have to when you get out of school.”

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room for Daisy to unknowingly stumble from another room without the ability to walk or talk. After the evening’s events, Daisy was left in her front lawn where her mother, Melinda Coleman, found her, clinging to life during the 22 degree morning. The rally, “Justice for Daisy,” was organized by Cole as an attempt to “bring support to the victims of this case” and featured speakers who discuss rape culture in today’s society. “I’d like to thank Maryville for hosting us as we process our grief… and plan for justice,” Claire Major, guest speaker from the Missouri chapter of the National Organization for Women, expressed passionately as she choked up in the moment. “We’re here today to stand up for someone who decided to use their voice. ProsCODY SIMMONS | NW MISSOURIAN ecuting like this will not bring an end to the rape culture in Missouri.” Although the Facebook event page created by Courtney Cole showed approximately 2,300 people would show up for the The charges against the boys rally, only around 300 showed up to the Maryville town square to make their voices heard. suspected to be involved with Daisy and Paige that January night were a special investigator. After accept- protesters stood with lit candles, a Besides an emailed statement redropped. Sheriff Darren White said ing the appointment, Baker insisted man approached them, questioning leased by the University, administrathe Coleman’s refused to testify and a special staff would begin an im- their motive for not revealing their tors have denied to comment on the exercised their Fifth Amendment mediate investigation and if anything faces. The comments sparked an ar- case. rights, a statement the Colemans played a role, “it will be the evidence.” gument with a few emotional memEven though the amount of supclaimed is false. porters who showed up was less than Some Maryville residents- and bers, but nothing came of the notion. “I think that everybody is looking the nation as a whole- questioned With Northwest Missouri State planned for, Cole was determined to for this to be a peaceful demonstra- Rice’s decision after the story broke. University being a focal point in the get her message across to the media tion, and that is what we are advocat- In the days following the article, Rice Maryville community, many ques- and loyal supporters. ing for,” Cole said. “The pure outra- released a statement saying the ar- tioned how the situation would affect “Let’s focus on what can be done geousness of the Daisy Coleman case ticle “did not include all of the facts the campus. to assist and support victims, not reis what brought us here today. She is as to what transpired…” He said the “I went home this weekend to victimize them again and again,” Cole not alone.” attacks against him were “malicious, Kansas, and people were coming up said. “It is past time for us as a state The rally caused Maryville to wrong and never happened.” The to me telling me to leave Maryville to say no more. The movement to end beef up security measures; blocks of until the case is finished,” freshman violence is thrilling in Missouri, and streets were closed, extra law enforce- statement ended with Rice announcTanna Meng said. “I get that it’s a big we are here to be a part of it.” ing he had no further comments and ment was brought in and ambulances Rice had angered many across the deal and she deserves her justice, but was “prohibited from commenting on were parked just off scene in case of it’s putting the University’s reputation city and country with his refusal to the facts of a closed criminal case.” an escalation. prosecute the alleged crimes. He may The Star’s article led groups to at risk.” Cole, along with millions of othWith Northwest being so tightly- have answered the call of many with ers on social media worldwide, called call for justice at the hands of Rice. for the city, the county and the state to Hacktivist group Anonymous led embedded in the picturesque Mid- his decision to pass on the case. As the investigation continues, take action in getting the nearly two- an Internet rally cry, from starting western small town, some students year-old case reopened. The rally “#OpMaryville” to planned Twitter believed the case would be a cause possible evidence will be discussed, was originally intended as a peaceful storms to a digitized video explain- of distraction to the student body. questions will be asked and messages protest, calling for Nodaway County ing the group’s motives. In the video, Whether it’s the overzealous rumors will be put forth. People will continue Prosecuting Attorney Bob Rice to re- the group said “We have heard Dai- of Anonymous’ intentions or arguing to ask for immediate action to take open the case. Changes were made sy’s story far too often… If Maryville about who is the victim in the case, place, but there is no promise of when to the Facebook event Monday af- won’t defend these young girls, if the chatter has erupted inside and out, any findings will occur. “I’m going to ask the community ternoon after it was announced that police are too cowardly or corrupt to from Colden Hall to Franken Hall to as well for patience,” Baker said. “This Jackson County Prosecutor Jean do their jobs, if the justice system has the J.W. Jones Student Union. “It’s starting to put a bad name is going to be a process.” Peters Baker would review the case abandoned them, then someone else (Official statements from the on our University,” freshman Aus“without fear and without favor,” as will have to stand for them.” Though Anonymous had made tin Walker said. “I think Maryville Barnett family, McDanel, Rice and said in a released statement. Fourth Circuit Associate Judge their plea for justice clear in the cyber and Northwest are very connected. the Missouri Attorney General’s OfGlen Dietrich appointed Baker as the world, there were only a handful of the When people hear about something fice as well as continuous coverage of special prosecutor to the case five days masked supporters present at Tues- in Maryville, they automatically think the case can be found at nwmissourinews.com.) after Rice asked the court to appoint day’s rally. As a group of four masked of Northwest too.”

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Blotter from the Maryville Department of Public Safety Oct. 12

Levi C. Allen, 19, Red Oak, Ia., was charged with disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, minor in possession and failure to comply at the 300 block of West Seventh Street.

Oct.13

There is an on going investigation of property damage at the 600 block of

East Seventh Street

Oct.17

There is an on going investigation of lost/stolen license plate at the 500 block of North Vine Street.

Oct.18

Ramsey T. Buck, 19, was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia at the 1100 block of North College Drive.

Oct.19

A bicycle was recovered at the 200 block of North Munn Avenue.

Oct.20

Carl J, Blomoquist, 20, Independence, Mo., was charged with wanted on warrant for failure to appear at the 400 block of North Market Street.

Oct. 10

An accident occurred between Nathan R. Cohen ,18, and Hayleigh M. Brunkhorst at the 300 block of East Cooper Street.

Oct. 16

An accident occurred between Micheal L. Coffelt, 31, and Kurby J. Aley ,62, at the 400 block of North Depot

Street. Coffelt was issued a citation for failure to maintain right half of the road.

Oct.17

An accident occurred between Trey X. Randle, 19, and Dakota L. Morehead, 20, at West Fourth Street and North Buchanan.