New law on fleeing a police stop may affect Osage Beach case

OSAGE COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ)

A newly implemented Missouri law could affect the charges of the suspect who fled Osage Beach Police, resulting in the death of Officer Phylicia Carson early Saturday morning.

During a news conference Saturday, Camden County Prosecuting Attorney, Richelle Grosvenor, said that while charges are still pending for the suspect, Valentine's Law could potentially be part of the criminal case moving forward.

Put in effect Aug. 28, Senate Bill 901, or Valentine's Law makes fleeing police officers during a motor vehicle stop hold criminal charges.

Before the bill, there was no law in Missouri against fleeing from law enforcement.

"If you're going to take off, then we're going to up the ante on you because a lot of times officers don't pursue them, that's been the latest theory in the last 20 years because of the danger involved," former Cole County prosecutor Bill Tackett said. "So, we're not going to just let you off the hook."

According to Tackett, if a driver tries to speed away when an officer's lights are on and visible, they will be facing charges of a B-class felony with a minimum of 5 years in prison. If the driver causes injury or death, the charge can be bumped up to an A-class felony where the suspect can get a sentence ranging from 30 years to life in prison.