Attorney General's News Release

May 3, 2000

Nixon succeeds in removing convicted felon from ballot as sheriff candidate

Hillsboro, Mo. — A circuit judge today ruled that a convicted felon be removed from the ballot as a candidate for the position of Jefferson County sheriff. Judge M. Edward Williams ordered Jefferson County Clerk Eleanor Koch Rehm to keep Edward J. Manley III off the ballot for the Aug. 8 primary election.

Attorney General Jay Nixon filed a lawsuit last week asking the Jefferson County Circuit Court to remove Manley from the ballot after it was discovered that Manley had been convicted of a felony. Missouri law (Section 57.010, RSMo, 1994) states that "no person shall be eligible for the office of sheriff who has been convicted of a felony." Manley was convicted in July 1980 of Assault with Intent to Kill with a Knife.

"State law recognizes that it is inappropriate for a convicted felon to hold the position of chief law enforcement official in a county," Nixon said. "To keep the integrity of the electoral process intact, the voters of Jefferson County deserve to have only those candidates who are qualified on the ballot."

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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