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The Southern Illinois University School of Law is recognizing its past and applauding its present and future as it kicks off its 50th anniversary celebration.

Newman’s actions in the case of James Franklin Sapp and a charge that he pursued a “vindictive prosecution” in a separate case are the subject of a hearing in Henderson County Superior Court on Monday to decide whether the district attorney is removed from office. Newman’s actions in the Sapp case were explored at length last Nov. 11-12 by the state Bar’s Disciplinary Hearing Commission, which ruled that Newman failed to notify the alleged victim in Sapp’s case of his plea-agreement hearing and that he had made a false statement to the District Court judge who approved the plea ag...

Valerie Owenby, known until now in court records at "V.O.," wants everyone to know her name. Owenby grew up in the house her grandfather built, on a mountaintop in Henderson County. She lived there with her father, brother and grandparents at the end of a country road, surrounded by woods and very few neighbors. The closest neighbor was James Franklin Sapp, who Owenby, now 22, said sexually assaulted, raped and terrorized her from age 5-12, most of her childhood. “When I was 12 I started my period, and he decided not to do it anymore and told me to keep my mouth shut or my family would di...

Alleged child rape survivor claims victimized again when DA lied, dropped charges Valerie Owenby, known until now in court records at "V.O.," wants everyone to know her name. Owenby grew up in the house her grandfather built, on a mountaintop in Henderson County. She lived there with her father, brother and grandparents at the end of a country road, surrounded by woods and very few neighbors. The closest neighbor was James Franklin Sapp, who Owenby, now 22, said sexually assaulted, raped and terrorized her from age 5-12, most of her childhood. “When I was 12 I started my period, and he de...