Attorney General's News Release

September 3, 1999

Charges dropped in 1984 Macon County murder

Jefferson City, Mo. — Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon announced today that the charges against Wilfred "Lee" Swank, who had been charged in connection with the 1984 murder in Macon County of Julianne Helton, have been dropped.

Macon County Prosecuting Attorney R. Timothy Bickhaus and Nixon, whose office had been appointed to assist in the case, filed today to dismiss the case following review of additional DNA evidence and further investigation of the case. Another man, James Grinder, pleaded guilty to the murder and has been sentenced to life in prison without parole.

Swank is a former police office in Macon who was charged with murder in the case by former county Prosecuting Attorney David Masters. Swank has been out on bond since being charged in March 1998. The charge was filed prior to the appointment of the Attorney General's Office to assist on the case.

In June,charges were dismissed against two other defendants in the case, Sterling "Todd" Blakeley and his brother, Charles Blakeley, after DNA testing failed to support the state's case against the Blakeleys.

Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).

All media inquiries should be directed to Press Secretary John Fougere.

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