Judge postpones sentencing for Wilson

STE. GENEVIEVE — Associate Circuit Court Judge Raymond Weber agreed to postpone sentencing for former Washington County Chief Deputy Vernon Wilson.

Wilson was scheduled to be sentenced Thursday morning in Ste. Genevieve County for assaulting an inmate. He pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor third-degree assault in August. He had originally been charged with felony second-degree assault.

On Thursday, Special Prosecuting Attorney Douglas Pribble asked the judge to continue the case. After hearing arguments in his chambers, the judge granted the continuance and scheduled a sentencing hearing for 1 p.m. Dec. 3.

Pribble indicated he intends to call witnesses at the sentencing hearing.

The charge alleged in 2005 while Kevin Schroeder was sheriff, Wilson assaulted an inmate who was incarcerated in the Washington County Jail. Wilson was accused of assaulting the inmate by punching him with his fist, slapping him, pushing him and slamming his head into a cell wall.

The inmate lost consciousness and received numerous bruises, a swollen eye, face, and cheek and a severely lacerated lip.

He was initially accused of assaulting another inmate but that charge was dismissed when a judge ruled there was not sufficient probable cause.

The case had been moved to Ste. Genevieve County on a change of venue from Washington County.

Wilson, who ran on the Republican ticket for sheriff last year while facing charges, is being represented by Stephen Vighi.

Teresa Ressel is a reporter for the Daily Journal and can be reached at 573-431-2010, ext. 179 or at tressel@dailyjournalonline.com.