Stangeland granted one-hour furlough to see ailing father

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Rusty Murry - Nevada Daily Mail

Douglas Stangeland and William Barger of Nevada appeared before presiding judge James R. Bickel in the Circuit Court of Vernon County on Tuesday, April 20. for arraignment in connection with the Nov. 9, 2009, home invasion of the rural Vernon County residence of Charles Scammell.

Stangeland, represented by Joplin attorney Tracey Martin, listened to the charges against him answering politely when spoken to and entering a not guilty plea on all counts against him.

Before ending the proceeding, Martin asked the court to grant Stangeland a brief furlough to visit his ailing father. Martin stated that since Stangeland is soon to be extradited to New Jersey on kidnapping charges, the furlough may be the last chance he will have to see his father alive.

Bickel asked Vernon County prosecutor Lynn M. Ewing III for the state's position on granting the furlough. Though he said he certainly understood the reason for the request, Ewing said, "I cannot consent to that furlough on behalf of the state."

Bickel gave it some thought before informing Martin and Stangeland that he would allow a one-hour furlough under armed guard and only then at the expense of the defendant. Bickel stipulated certified law enforcement only: off duty sheriff's deputies or Nevada Police.

A few moments later, Stangeland and some other defendants were escorted from the courtroom. As he the prisoners filed by, Stangeland looked directly at Mr. and Mrs. Charles Scammell in the front row of the gallery, nodded his head and quietly mouthed the words "I'm sorry."

Stangeland is being held in the Vernon County Jail with no bond while he awaits extradition to New Jersey, His next scheduled court appearance in Vernon County is a pre-trial conference set for May 4, 2010.

William Barger was also arraigned in the courtroom Tuesday. He was informed of the charges against him while his attorney Jeff Martin of the Harrisonville public defender's office stood at his side. Barger said he understood the charges and waived a formal reading of them. He entered not guilty pleas on all counts.

Martin asked the judge about motion for a change of venue. Bickel replied that the request should be in writing rather than verbal, and he informed Barger that even with a change of venue he would be the judge to hear the case unless his attorney also requested a change of judge. The change of venue motion will be addressed during Barger's pre trial conference scheduled for May 4, 2010. Barger will remain in the Vernon County jail with no bond.

Both men are being held, along with three others, in connection with a case that began last year with a home invasion in rural Vernon County and ended in January 2010 during a failed kidnapping attempt of a New Jersey pet food dealer. The home invasion and kidnapping were allegedly perpetrated in a effort to recover money lost in some sort of business deal. Four of the men are being held in Vernon County, and one, Lonnie Swarnes, has already been extradited back to New Jersey.

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life has a way of getting total messed up. several families will never be the same. sad, very sad...drugs? alcohol??? what makes people do terrible things...

-- Posted by Butch56 on Wed, Apr 21, 2010, at 10:35 AM
I would have to say money and power made this all happen.

-- Posted by Commguy on Wed, Apr 21, 2010, at 3:22 PM
Kind of reminds me of the time Jethro Bodine wanted to be a "double-naught spy".

-- Posted by Custom 1911 on Thu, Apr 22, 2010, at 12:52 PM
The whole deal is terrible. Does that mean Doug should not see his dad one last time? Did any of you know Doug before this all happened? He used to be a great guy. Drugs and alcohol do a lot of bad things. Obviously, it makes people do very stupid things. Think of it this way-if you were Doug's dad wouldn't you want to see your son before you die? Maybe you should think of it being for his dad, and not Doug.

-- Posted by nosurprise on Thu, Apr 22, 2010, at 8:51 PM
I'm sorry, but I refuse to agree. Did any of them think about the Scammells, and how they may have wanted to see their children & grandchildren the night they thought they were going to die, when these men invaded their home?! Did they think about them in any way? Consider any human emotion? Consider how Mr. Scammells life would be like with missing fingers?

Hindsight is always 20/20. He should've thought about this, before he chose to partake in those actions.

Far be it for me to judge; and I'm not, but really. You can't blame this on drugs & alcohol. You don't just wake up one morning, decide to take a hit & a shot; and then decide to break into a home. He knew what he was doing. I'd be sorry too, if I was in his position.

-- Posted by mattsmom on Fri, Apr 23, 2010, at 3:24 AM
I have to agree with nosurprise on this one. A person's entire being can be changed through alcoholism and addiction. This sickness can strike anyone. It can make any upstanding citizen a criminal, a destitute person, and/or anybody he/she was never before. Now, with that said, it does not mean Doug, or any of the others involved, should not be punished for the crimes they committed.But his father, especially in the latter years of his life, should not be punished. Our court systems allow furlows of prisoners, (with good behaviors), the time to attend a funeral or visit a dying loved-one, so this was not uncommon. Take a moment to close your eyes and put yourself in the position of Mr. Stangeland Sr. Wouldn't you want just one hour to have many questions answered by your child? One possible last time together? Think about it.

-- Posted by Jessie on Fri, Apr 23, 2010, at 7:02 AM
I never said to forgive Doug. He needs to go to jail for what he did. But, don't you think his dad deserves to see him. And, mattsmom, you are completely wrong. Drugs and alcohol do change people. They can make people change into someone completely different. How would you feel if your child was the one who did this. It is entirely possible.

-- Posted by nosurprise on Fri, Apr 23, 2010, at 7:25 AM
I never said he or his dad did not deserve to see each other one last time. He asked, it was granted by the courts and it will happen. He does have himself to blame for the choices he made. Alcohol or not. I did know him before he changed and yes I did consider him a good guy. But again all that changed with his choices. And before you jump on me about how these things affect people I know first hand how your actions decide for you what happens to you. We all make mistakes and take the wrong road. But being an adult and not a young one he knew what he was doing was wrong, sober or not. Do not sugar coat the fact that he is on trial for what he did wrong and if it was your family that all this happened to would you still feel the same way? Take a long look in the mirror and ask yourself that question. I have and it is a hard one to answer honestly even to yourself.

-- Posted by Commguy on Fri, Apr 23, 2010, at 8:51 AM
Yes, he does have himself to blame. He is the one who decided to turn to drugs and alcohol. These were choices that he willingly made. All I am saying is that drugs and alcohol can change people. You have to agree that a lot of upstanding citizens have made some poor choices that cost them everything. As for Doug's dad....he is a great guy. If he wishes to see his son before he dies, then he deserves to. It is not his fault his son made some stupid decisions. I am sure he still loves Doug. And, yes, I agree that this could happen to any family. I honestly don't know how I would feel if it were me in that position.

-- Posted by nosurprise on Fri, Apr 23, 2010, at 1:11 PM
Nosuprise, that is exactaly what I am trying to say. I for one do think Doug and his Dad need to have that last hour. I can only imagine how hard it will be for Doug to face him. I do agree that a lot of people made poor choices that cost them everything. This was never about should he or shouldnt he see his dad. I am not even sure why it has drawn so much attention. The court granted it so it is a done deal.

-- Posted by Commguy on Fri, Apr 23, 2010, at 4:16 PM
"ailing father" ? could mean anything. His father may be able to visit him in a wheelchair, or he may not even want to see him.....and, If he had ten kids all over the US, should we let him visit them.

C'mon folks, every man in or out of prison has a sad story. This one doesn't even rate.

-- Posted by nonessential on Fri, Apr 23, 2010, at 4:44 PM
Apparently, "nonessential," you have no common sense. I am sure the court has a standard for which they grant a furlough. I am guessing they don't let someone out to see a relative with a broken leg. Last I checked, "ailing" meant dying. As for visiting his kids, they should be able to see him. How would you feel if you were Doug's dad? This is not about Doug.

-- Posted by nosurprise on Fri, Apr 23, 2010, at 8:19 PM
"nosurprise" ailing does not mean dying. it means to be ill, to suffer discomfort, even minor, whether it is mental or physical.

-- Posted by callijo on Sat, Apr 24, 2010, at 2:37 PM
I stand corrected. I still think the judge would monitor what he releases prisoners for.

-- Posted by nosurprise on Sat, Apr 24, 2010, at 5:34 PM
Thank you Callijo,

Where are you from nosurprise? Courts have NEVER had standards for anything. They do what they want depending on who is presiding, or whoever has the most money. I'm sorry you believe me to be heartless, but you're not reading the article. You're reading your own beliefs INTO the article. As for my lacking common sense, I thank you. I am not common.

You however apparently have a lot of common sense or conjecture which only leads to mistakes.

For all we know Doug's dad is drinking a six, dancing with a harlot, and laughing at you.

-- Posted by nonessential on Sat, Apr 24, 2010, at 11:48 PM

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