Kidnapping charges explained

The law enforcement agencies preparing to prosecute two local men for the Aug. 10 murder of Rodney Wood have announced that no more details about their cases will be released; however, on Wednesday Hannibal Police Chief Lyndell Davis explained a report he made earlier in the week. He had reported why kidnapping charges also were filed against the defendants, David Ater, 22, and Nathan Stice, 21.
“Originally we were asked about where the kidnapping charge came from,” Davis said. “There were obviously other individuals involved in that situation, where some females were apparently held against their will. They were told to lie down and be quiet,” during the police’s investigation in the neighborhood.
This had been explained publicly prior to the decision being made about releasing any more details, Davis said. “After consultation with the prosecutor’s office, it was mutually agreed we had released all the information we feel comfortable releasing,” he explained.
“Our number one goal and objective is to get a successful prosecution to see justice for Mr. Wood,” he said. “We are doing everything in our power to make sure this is a successful prosecution.”
One of the details not being released is the preliminary autopsy report, according to Marion County Coroner Peggy Porter. She explained on Tuesday that this was also a decision made with the prosecutor’s office.
Family friends have reported to the Courier-Post that shortly before his death Wood was on his way home from a gathering of friends, when he stopped to help a woman who was being attacked by two men, and he was then killed by the men.
When Stice and Ater were arrested Sunday on the day of Wood’s death, Chief Davis reported their arrests resulted from quick work by the HPD’s detective division, which had been working all night since the murder was discovered.
On Wednesday, as the murder investigation was continuing, Davis said the police will appreciate any more information the public may be able to provide.
“Anytime anybody has information concerning any crime in the community that may be beneficial for us solving a crime, please be forthcoming,” Davis said. “There are tip lines and the Internet as well.”
Anonymous tips may be left by calling the HPD at (573) 221-0987 and listening for the extension to leave a tip.
On the Internet at hannibalpd.com the menu will include “crime tips” where anonymous tips may be left.

Police will help begin
new neighborhood watch

After Wood’s body was found in the 2100 block of Broadway, Pam Neff and others living in the area expressed an interest in starting a neighborhood watch program, similar to the current one on South Side.
When that group was organized by Lisa Painter, the police assisted by providing a meeting room and literature. Cpl. Brian Allen of the HPD met with the group for several months and also provided advice.
Davis explained that the police would provide the same assistance to any new group starting a neighborhood watch program. “We get those calls infrequently about people wanting to start a neighborhood watch,” he said.
“Probably the most successful we have had in years past was the one started by Lisa Painter on South Side.
“For a lot of  people, once the emotion subsides, so does the enthusiasm to do it,” Davis added.
He emphasized that this is not a police venture. “There is a misconception that this is some sort of police action. It is not. It is where the community comes together, working with the police.
“What we do is the first three or four meetings we help them organize, but the whole purpose of a neighborhood watch is people working together. They will be offered a place to have the first three meetings at the Hannibal Police Department,” and Allen will help, he said, although Allen “is also the community education officer, the school resources officer and the DARE officer.”
Anyone who is serious about starting this program is invited to contact Cpl. Allen, Davis said, “and if they don’t have an immediate response, call my office.
“But I want to emphasize that we only help facilitate this. They have to carry the football and run with it. We are more than willing to help, but they have to do more than just talk about it.”
He advised anyone interested in starting a neighborhood watch to contact Painter.
Painter provided her phone number, 221-3424, and said, “if anyone has questions about getting it started, they are more than welcome to call me.”