Former House Speaker accused of felony after signing legislation in 2006 to amend law

Former House Speaker Rod Jetton (R) was accused Monday of a Class C felony in a complaint filed with Scott County Circuit Court. The law Jetton is accused of violating -- second-degree assault -- was amended while Jetton served in the Missouri House and even signed by Jetton.

A probable cause affidavit, filed by Scott County Prosecutor Paul Boyd (D), claims 42-year-old Jetton assaulted the victim repeatedly after she lost consciousness and reported "blank spots in her memory." Jetton reportedly supplied the victim a glass of wine that resulted in the victim "fading," after which she reported being hit and choked by Jetton.

The affidavit also says Jetton and the victim established a "safe word" to stop sexual intercourse. That word: "Green balloons." The affidavit goes on to say "Mr. Jetton stayed the night with [the victim] and when he woke up he gave [the victim] a kiss and said, 'You should have said green balloons.'"

A warrant was issued for Jetton's arrest Monday with a $2,500 bond, according to Missouri CaseNet. Media reports, however, indicate he was not in custody.

From 2001 to 2009 Jetton represented Missouri's House District 156, which includes portions of Bollinger, Madison and Wayne counties. From 2005 to 2008 he also served as the Speaker of the House, controlling which pieces of legislation proceed to the floor for votes.

In a bit of irony, the state legislature revisited the law Jetton is now charged with violating while he served as Speaker. In 2006, S.B. 872 amended the definition of second-degree assault in RSMo 565.060, although it didn't actually amend the specific piece that applies to Jetton: "A person commits the crime of assault in the second degree if he:...Recklessly causes serious physical injury to another person..." Jetton did vote for the legislation though, and also signed it as the head of the House of Representatives.

Jetton currently runs a political consulting firm called Rod Jetton & Associates. During the first three quarters of 2009, Jetton's firm reported receipts of more than $60,000 from 10 Republican candidates and two other political committees. The candidates include Sen. Rob Mayer, Rep. Brian Nieves, Rep. Steve Tilley, Rep. Tim Jones, Rep. Dwight Scharnhorst, Rep. Jason Smith, Rep. Michael Schoeller, Rep. Don Ruzicka, Rep. Sue Allen, and Rep. Shelley Keeney (who now holds Jetton's former seat).

Court records indicate Jetton divorced his wife, Cassandra, in Oct.

An editorial slated to run in the Kansas City Star Tuesday says this may be the nail in the coffin for Jetton's political career.

"The Legislature should have curbed Jetton's power with ethics legislation," Barb Shelly writes. "Now, a woman's allegations may accomplish that feat."

Related Links:
Jetton Probable Cause Affidavit (via KY3)
Missouri CaseNet
S.B. 872 Legislative History
Prime Buzz Link (first reported)

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