Trial set for man suspected in trooper’s assault

A man accused of assaulting a Missouri State Highway Patrol officer in Texas County in March 2008 will stand trial Nov. 16-18 in Phelps County.

Larry D. Brashears is charged with an incident near Highway H and U.S. 63 south of Houston that left Cpl. Curtis Haden with moderate injuries. Jury selection will occur on the first day. 

Court records show Brashears entered a guilty plea on Sept. 26, but changed his mind during an Oct. 3 hearing.

Brashears was accused of assaulting Haden following a traffic stop. According to a report, Brashears struck the officer and placed him in a headlock. Haden, fearful that he was about to lose consciousness, removed his service weapon as the two struggled and it fired into the ground.

According to a report, Brashears held Haden at gunpoint as he took the officer’s wallet, a small amount of cash, three credit cards, one debit card, car keys and a flashlight.

A passer-by alerted authorities after seeing Haden’s patrol car door open and his hat on the ground. A manhunt ended with Brashears’ arrest about three hours later near the incident site.

Haden sustained moderate injuries, including problems with an eye. 

Brashears also faces numerous charges in Howell County.

Reporting from the incident south of Houston.