OPEN HOUSE
BANQUET NIGHT
Creston Nursing and Rehab will host a ribbon cutting and open house for their state-of-the-art therapy gymnasium next week. For more information, see page 10A of today’s paper.
The Creston cross country program said goodbye to 10 seniors at its end-of-the-season banquet Sunday at the Creston High School commons. Read more from the banquet in SPORTS, page 6A. >>
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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2014
Uncertainty fuels speculation Bedford’s on Ferguson, Mo. decision Malson agrees to plea deal FERGUSON, Mo. (AP) — The final weekend before the Thanksgiving holiday passed without a grand jury decision on whether to indict a Ferguson police officer, fueling new speculation about the timing as protesters demand justice for Michael Brown. After meeting Friday but apparently not reaching a decision, the grand jury was widely expected to reconvene on Monday to consider possible charges against Darren Wilson, the white suburban St. Louis officer who fatally shot the black 18-year-old after a confrontation in August. There was no official confirmation about when the grand jury would meet again. Reggie Cunningham was among Sunday night’s protesters. He said he doubted Wilson will be indicted and felt like authorities were delaying an announcement “to spin this in the most positive way possible.” “The more that they drag this out, the angrier people are going to be,” said Cunningham, 30, of St. Louis. The shooting triggered riots and looting back in the summer, and police responded with armored vehicles and tear gas. Many thought a grand jury decision on whether to charge Wilson would be announced Sunday, based partly on a stepped-up police presence in the preceding days. Downtown STL Inc., a St. Louis civic group that promotes downtown businesses, told members in an email Saturday that the grand jury will reconvene Monday to continue deliberating. The email did not explain how the group knew that, and St. Louis County Prosecutor Bob McCulloch’s office
By BAILEY POOLMAN
CNA staff reporter bpoolman@crestonnews.com
MCT photo by RICK MAJEWSKI
Protestors link arm across W. Florrisant Ave. in Ferguson, Mo., blocking traffic for a few minutes before marching on.
there and you’re going to let them figure it out and they can make up their own minds,” Crump said. “You know, it just boggles the mind why he thinks this is fair.” If jurors meet Monday, there is no guarantee they’ll — Reggie Cunningham reach a decision that day, or Protester in Ferguson even this week. It’s not uncommon for dehas not commented on the liberations to take a while in grand jury’s schedule. complex cases when, such McCulloch has said he as in the Brown shooting, expected a decision by mid- self-defense is alleged or to-late November, but that’s there are two widely conultimately not in his control. flicting versions, according The 12-person grand jury to Cole County Prosecutor deliberates in secret and sets Mark Richardson, who is its own schedule depending not involved in the Ferguupon when the members are son case. available. Sunday would have been Benjamin Crump, an at- an opportune time to mintorney for Brown’s family, imize disruptions from prosaid they are frustrated the tests, since schools and govprosecutor didn’t charge ernments are planning on Wilson himself or suggest a only a partial holiday workcharge to grand jurors. week, Washington UniverAs it is, “you don’t have sity law professor Peter Joy any direction, you’re just said, but that Monday or putting all the evidence out Tuesday would still make
“The more that they drag this out, the angrier people are going to be.”
sense. But “my belief is that with the holiday, releasing it on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday would produce a negative reaction,” Joy said. During Sunday’s church services, some pastors encouraged their flocks not to fret. The Rev. Freddy Clark of Shalom Church in Florissant told the mostly black interdenominational congregation that “justice will be served” no matter the decision goes, because God will take care of it. Meanwhile, daily protests have continued and there is speculation that the delays are intentional. “People feel like it’s been engineered, so that the results wouldn’t come out until after the election and until the weather got cold, and it would be more difficult to protest,” said Susan McGraugh, supervisor of the Criminal Defense Clinic at the Saint Louis University School of Law. “It’s really adding fuel to the fire.”
BEDFORD — Zachary J. Curtis Malson, 24, of Bedford was found guilty of two counts of willful injury, assault while participating in a felony and going armed with intent Nov. 18 pursuant to a plea agreement. According to a Taylor County Attorney’s Office press release, the charge of first-degree murder originally against Zachary will be dismissed after the expiration of the period of time Malson has to appeal the convictions. Originally, Zachary and his mother, Cindy Lou Malson, 47, were both charged with first-de- Malson gree murder in the death of Cin- ■ Sentenced to prison term dy’s husband Steven C. Malson, 56, anot to exceed both of Bedford. 25 years. According to a Taylor County Sheriff report, Taylor County Sheriff received a 911 call April 23 indicating a shooting had occurred at 1509 Bent St., Bedford, as the result of an attempted suicide. The victim, Steven Malson, suffering from what appeared to be a single gunshot wound to the head, was flown to a hospital in St. Joseph, Mo., where he died. According to court documents, Cindy provided information putting her in the room with Steven and Zachary, all fighting over a gun. She provided information to investigators stating Zachary was responsible for intentionally firing the fatal shot. Another family member said she was present when Zachary confessed to the shooting later that evening. Zachary has changed his story multiple times as to what happened. Also according to court documents, during an interview with Zachary, he provided information stating Cindy was responsible for intentionally shooting the fatal shot. Cindy has also changed her story, each time not matching evidence at the scene. Charges against Cindy Malson were dropped in August. Zachary was sentenced to serve an indeterminate prison term not to exceed 25 years. Also, he was ordered to pay fines, surcharges, victim restitution, jail fees, attorney fees and court costs. The investigation was conducted by Taylor County Sheriff’s Office and Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.
Creston PTO Carnival:
Jack Pettegrew, first-grade student at Creston Elementary School, is cheered on by Creston High School senior Darin Hatfield while pulling weight behind a small tractor at the Creston Parent Teacher Organization Carnival at the elementary school Friday night. CNA photo by BAILEY POOLMAN
CNA photo by BAILEY POOLMAN
Elks vendor fair:
Scentsy vendor Jenny Mahan, left, shows new winter scents to customer Nicole Shawler, middle, and Morgan Shawler during the fifth annual Creston Elks Lodge vendor fair Friday night. Other products available during the fair included Pampered Chef, Origami Owl and Lia Sophia.
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Copyright 2014
Volume 131 No. 124
2014
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Ladies Shopping Night & Wine Tasting Wednesday, Nov. 26 • 4:30-7:30 p.m. Lenox Hardware’s
Sweet Side 110 N. Main, Lenox, IA
Christmas Gifts ~ Ornaments Lighted Canvas ~ Deco Wreaths Scentsy ~ Candles
Get your Holiday Party Started Early!