Motions in Ellis case heard Wednesday

Case garners national attention, support from ACLU, NAACP and SCLC

A hearing in Bloomfield Wednesday afternoon brought out protestors including members of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

The case against Heather Renae Ellis of Kennett has garnered national attention from such groups as she tells her side of a story stemming from a Jan. 6, 2007 incident at the Kennett Walmart.

Heather Ellis (second from left with head bowed), gathered with supporters in a circle of prayer following Wednesday's court proceedings. About a dozen people representing family, friends, ACLU members and representatives of the NAACP, were present in the Stoddard County courtroom for Ellis' pre-trial proceeding. Leading the group prayer, at left, is Rev. Dwight Montgomery of Memphis, with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference

As soon as court began, Judge Joe Satterfield made it clear that he would not tolerate any bad behavior in his courtroom.

"I know emotions have been high in this case," he said. "However, any outbursts will be dealt with swiftly."

Appearing alongside her attorney, T.J. Hunsaker of Rosenblum, Schwartz, Rogers and Glass out of St. Louis, Ellis went before Judge Joe Satterfield to take up motions as the court prepares for a November trial.

Among the motions in question was a Motion in Limine filed by Dunklin County Prosecuting Attorney Stephen Sokoloff prior to the court proceedings.

The motion asks the court to prohibit statements in front of the jury regarding several points.

Among those are the general reputation of the victim (law enforcement officers alleging assault), dishonesty of witnesses, evidence of other complaints or accusations against victims relating to previous arrests, any evidence of matters claimed to have arisen at the police station after the arrest, evidence of the purpose of Ellis' trip to Walmart, character evidence of defendant except by general reputation in the community, testimony on the impact of the incident on the defendant and asks to strike the testimony of three witnesses who have reportedly been uncooperative.

The order also requests that Ellis refrain from "wearing or displaying any religious symbols or religion-specific clothing or any testimony relating to the defendant's faith, religious beliefs or training."

Because the document was only filed shortly before court, Satterfield gave Hunsaker until Nov. 4 to file responses to the state's requests.

Satterfield also made it clear that, as far as he is concerned, the Nov. 18 trial date will stand.

"I fully intend to proceed with trial on that date," he said as he stressed to the attorneys the importance of having all motions returned on time.

The case will be heard in a Dunklin County courtroom next month.