Journal Gazette from Mattoon, Illinois • Page 1

SHOWCASE Local girl kicks up to state level in taekwondo. 5 Ll. mw in iiiawiia 111,13 Wh i ii in i Look for in today's paper! 6 'cd 127th year, No, 202 75 Cents 2004 Mattoon Journal Gazette FRIDAY'S AHEA FCUTCILL RESULTS Kernel 42 Walloon 0 ftCtCStsa 42 Robinson 26 Arthur 34 Cerro Gordo 14 39 Meridian 8 VT.a Crcv3 37 Tri County 8 Eterds County 26 Cumberland 16 if Mattoon QOIMOUrS jailtai may get extendei Ex-judge to stay in prison until contempt charge is addressed when lives are Iff? Ul "IfPlll By NATHANIEL WEST -Staff Writer TOLEDO Ex-judge Robert Cochonour was supposed to be released from the Illinois Depart ment of Corrections in little more than a year. era However, he will now remain incarcerated until he meets the requirements of a two-year-old contempt of court order, a probate judge decided Friday at the Cumberland County Courthouse. Whether Cochonour would serve that time in state prison or the county jail has yet to be determined.

But Cochonour Cumberland County authorities think the latter is more likely. "When they (DOC officials) are done with him, we'll get him, that's what that means," said Sheriff Steve Ozier. In January 2003, Cochonour pleaded guilty to theft of more than $100,000 from the estate of wealthy Greenup businessman Jay Hayden. The former the Cumberland County resident judge spent about a year in state prisons before his transfer to a Decatur work release facility. But Cochonour may find himself back in a standard prison, according to Cumberland County State's Attorney Barry Schaefer.

While the contempt charge is for a civil rather than a criminal case, DOC officials may decide to return Cochonour to the general inmate population, Schaefer reported. Or they may recalculate his parole date, currently listed on the DOC Web site as Oct. 17, 2005. If the state does nothing, then the move will be Kevin Kilhoffer Staff Photographer Mattoon Fire Department Captain Andy Adair shows how the department's new radio headsets can be used with portable radios. The headsets can also be plugged into the radio panel in the fire truck and on the rear of the truck near the boom controls.

911 inspires improved communication By HERB MEEKER Staff Writer In November 2001, Mattoon Fire Chief Bruce Grafton, along with several other Mattoon firefighters, was on an airplane and trying hard to deal with a recent walk at "Ground Zero" in New York City. The firefighters went to New York City that fall for funerals of some New York firemen who died in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade COMMUNICATIONAS Americans ause up to the Cumberland County SheruTs Department, according to Ozier. "Whether that changes their status with him, we don't know," said the sheriff. Friday's "writ of attachment" by Judge Steve Pacey effectively serves as an arrest warrant, and directs the sheriff to take Cochonour into custody "and immediately bring him before (the court) to answer for contempt of court." The document stipulates there is no bond for Cochonour 's release, and he is to be confined until the contempt is "purged." Over the last two years, Cochonour's attorneys have been fighting against the procurement of documents and special insurance for the Jay Hayden estate, of which Cochonour was once executor.

Chicago attorney Rick Halprin has consistently argued that requiring Cochonour to turn over the papers and show proof of insurance would violate Cochonour's constitutional right against self-mcrirnination. And Pacey has just as consistently ruled against those contentions, beginning with the issuance of his original contempt of court order in July 2002 and concluding with a new order Friday. "I just don't think that's the law," he told Halprin. A state appeals court has unanimously agreed with Pacey, affirming his decision that the Fifth Amendment does not apply to Cochonour in this case. "Robert B.

Cochonour has been afforded the opportunity and still has the ability to purge himself of contempt, but refuses to do so by asserting COCH0N0URA8 br 911 anniversary emony at Ground Zero. Then, in what has become an anniversary tradition, the names of the 2,749 trade center victims will be recited, with pauses for three more moments of silence at 9:03, 9:59 and 10:29 a.m. to mark when the second plane struck and each tower collapsed. The day of remembrance will end with twin beams of light ANNIVERSARYAS NEW YORK AP) Last year, children's voices echoed across "Ground Zero." This year, it is the bereaved parents and grandparents of World Trade Center victims who will read aloud the names of those lost on Sept. 11, 2001.

Three years to the minute that terrorists flew the first plane into the twin towers, a moment of silence will be held at 8:46 a.m. Eastern time today to begin the cer- Associated Press A test of the Tribute In Light memorial illuminates passing cloud Thursday above lower Manhattan New tork The twin beams of light will be turned on today for the third anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the U.S. fcEasternirustees are old acquaintances of this area Search for new president tops to-do list for board members trustees said their familiarity with EIU and this area will help guide their decisions. And that fondness was nitrtnrpH hv crrnwinff of the recent additions to the board is still well-acquainted with the county. Leo Welch was born and raised in Mattoon before becoming a college educator in the St.

Louis area. up in Coles County, 1 flttoniintf tfTTI living Webb, former president of Lake Land College in Mattoon, previously noted that he is also inspired by the place he calls home. The three new EIU trustees attended their first board meeting Friday. They cut their teeth on several key purchase approvals, but also heard from various university interests about upcoming challenges, including the search for President Lou Hencken's replacement. TRUSTEESAS Webb By RATHAHIEL WEST Staff Writer CHARLESTON Near the end of his speech welcoming three new Eastern Illinois University trustees, Student Senate Speaker Ryan Berger tossed off a quick and understated remark.

"You've got your work cut for you," he said. That appears to be true, as the fledgling board members have already been indoctrinated with the difficulties and politics of an EIU presidential search. But the recently appointed here currently, or Welch some combination of all three. While a longtime board member and one of the new appointees presently reside in Mattoon, another Meanwhile, Roger Kratochvil of Mt. Olive came to appreciate EIU after having been a student athlete at the institution.

And Mattoon resident Robert Opinions A4- il Records B7 Lifestyles Cl-3 Local 6, 9 Markets Advice Comics Classifieds C7-16 Weather Mattoon stu-dents get new view of the stars. 8558 0I1LH1E at www.jg-tc.com or CONTACT US at 1 -800-453-2472 I.