A circuit judge last week set a two-day trial to hear evidence on a state motion to permanently remove the former sheriff of Texas County.
Circuit Judge John Beger will hear evidence April 3-4 in Phelps County Circuit Court related to paperwork filed in July to oust then-sheriff James Sigman. The petition says Sigman neglected his official duties.
The paperwork filed by Special Prosecutor Don Trotter mirrors information contained in a July 2018 grand jury indictment. Sigman and Jennifer Tomaszeski, a former employee who also was his girlfriend, face similar charges: first-degree felony assault, first-degree robbery, felony first-degree endangering the welfare of a child, felony unlawful use of a weapon, felony harassment, felony endangering the welfare of a child, second degree; misdemeanor misuse of official information by a public servant and misdemeanor false impersonation. Sigman was charged again in October on a felony forgery charge.
In November, voters in Texas County elected a new sheriff, Scott Lindsey. An interim sheriff, Rowdy Douglas, was named by the county commission after Sigman was charged.
Sigman and Tomaszewski appeared last Tuesday before Beger in Texas County Circuit Court on the felony charges. A hearing was held and defense counsel was granted permission to be present when an examination of a hard drive is made by a crime lab.
Both are due back in court March 19.