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3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Emergency services, May 17 Stolen hives impact beekeepers' livelihoods Public meetings for May 18-22, 2015 Mt. Ashland Ski Area proposes summer adventure center Since You Asked: Why can't I pump my own gas? Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency services, May 17 Public meetings for May 18-22, 2015 Body found in southwest Medford field Feds go after Rogue River lawyer for failing to pay $125,000 in taxes Medford police search for suspect who robbed Flamingo's at gunpoint Politics and Elections Arthur I. Cyr: Camp David summit will not help Mideast stability Ashland water bills could go up to fund watershed protection Pacific Connector Gas Pipeline opponents rally in Medford BREAKING: Baltimore prosecutor charges officers in Freddie Gray's death Earthquakes hit regularly in Medford (Oklahoma, that is) Education SOU student's project tells story of devastating Weed fire South Medford, Ashland high schools earn national honors Medford garage sale will put books in African kids' hands Medford schools restore parent-teacher conferences Latino parents: More bilingual staff needed in Medford schools Environment Mt. Ashland Ski Area proposes summer adventure center Jackson County declares drought disaster Ashland water bills could go up to fund watershed protection Crater Lake may soon have China connection State waives college placement tests for students who hit high marks State News Oregon wildlife officials eye phased-in hunting, fishing fee increases Wyden's gambit on trade deal pays off Panel sends Jackson, Josephine drought declarations to governor Court overturns $85 million award for Oregon soldiers Oregon families should get $284 in tax rebates next year Nation - World There's a $10 million precious stone hidden in plain sight at Grand Central Obituaries Nita Day Alan Leslie Robins Kathryn "Kay" Blanche White Eva Robarts Donald Kent Hoyt Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable Check out top import and export for every U.S. state Patriots fan sets up GoFundMe page to help pay for team's Deflategate fine Sports Latest Stories Quick, King sweep classes at speedway Tornado sews up sixth straight crown Gillispie, Folsom shine at SWC district South’s Bartlett takes third at district North nets second title in three years Varsity 541 College Sports Hovinga stars on mound as Ducks advance Duck men, women lead in Pac-12 track meet Wu falls just short of advancing to NCAAs Beavers continue hot streak, trip Cardinal Committee urges switch to 30-second shot clock Pro Sports Timbers victimized by late goals Hamlin triumphs in NASCAR All-Star race McIlroy sets course record with 61 Two down, one to go for American Pharoah Warriors advance behind Curry Community Sports Bailey picks up modified win Business Latest Stories Blog: L is For... Blog: Cash deals for homes inches toward normal levels Tourism stronger than ever in Southern Oregon Medford airport still flying high with record passenger counts Erickson reports $75 million loss in 1st quarter Real Estate News Single-family home sales take off Never enough: New Starbucks proposed on Barnett Road in Medford Jackson County debt-ridden homeowners have an option New home in an old house Naumes plans custom-crush winery in former packing house People In Business People in Business Transportation Tourism stronger than ever in Southern Oregon Medford airport still flying high with record passenger counts Erickson finds room to work at Medford airport Lithia Motors nets $40.7 million in first quarter Lithia Motors reports second-best quarter ever Agriculture 1-800Flowers.com reports $10.5 million loss in third quarter Naumes plans custom-crush winery in former packing house Opinion Latest Our View: Kicking state government down the road Letters to the Editor, May 17 George Will: Santorum — The return of the GOP's runner-up Dana Milbank: The domain of 'dot-sucks' Other Views: Keeping marijuana away from minors Editorials Our View: Kicking state government down the road Other Views: Keeping marijuana away from minors Our view: Legislature should fix both marijuana laws Our View: City should let SkyPark project move ahead Our View: E-cigarette bill is half right, half wrong Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, May 17 Letters to the Editor, May 15 Letters to the Editor, May 14 Letters to the Editor, May 13 Letters to the Editor, May 12 Columns George Will: Santorum — The return of the GOP's runner-up Dana Milbank: The domain of 'dot-sucks' Arthur I. Cyr: Camp David summit will not help Mideast stability George Will: In childhood, risk is inherent Dana Milbank: Power to the populists Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: Ample water? Think again Guest Opinion: Oregon mothers need much more than flowers Guest Opinion: Child poverty and the Schneider Children’s Center Guest Opinion: Animal-killing program pulls wool over taxpayers' eyes Guest Opinion: Uniting to restore our sovereignty to we, the people Lifestyle Latest stories Southern Oregon Journal: Little-known 'facts' about certain local birds Adopt a Pet Spring athletes in action Learning to be a water watcher in these dry times Remodel now to stay at home later Food Community blog: Rhubarb's sour stalks have surprising savory side 6 stars of the Rogue Valley food universe Season Stepp: Use pink lemonade in recipes Quick, easy, versatile Page H. Onorato: Cookbook offers old friend in the kitchen today Home and Garden Learning to be a water watcher in these dry times Betty Montgomery: Longleaf pines making a comeback Pergola, arbor, gazebo: Learn the differences Dear Monty: Five tips for companies to reduce relocation costs Options abound for gardens in shady spots Health Community blog: Fasting out of Cancer Brent St. Germain: Weight loss goes to the dogs Community blog: Don't Fall for This Part 2 Health Watch: Easy tips to drink more water throughout the day New cardiac rehab center opens at Asante RRMC Hiking Biking Faith Religion Briefs: Friday, May 15 Religion Briefs: Friday, May 8 Religion Briefs: Friday, May 1 Religion Briefs: Friday, April 24 Milestones and Achievements Bukair-Hinkle Wedding: Stephanie Anne Obad and Mark Douglass Schmor Ashland water bills could go up to fund watershed protection Drones helping create unique wedding photos Pick your favorite wedding flowers Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Live Music in Local Clubs 5 picks for live entertainment Steve Poltz, Grant-Lee Phillips at Old Ashland Armory 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest' Flowers, art and music highlight Art in Bloom Theater 'Cuckoo's Nest' is a big play, well presented 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest' REVIEW: Randall Theatre's 'Little Shop of Horrors' a rollicking good time REVIEW: Carson, Patton shine in 'Arsenic and Old Lace' Some Oregon Shakespeare Festival crew members seek to unionize Music Live Music in Local Clubs Blues great B.B. King dead at 89 Steve Poltz, Grant-Lee Phillips at Old Ashland Armory Victor D. Infante: If loving bad pop songs is wrong ... The Farr Side: Contest open for singer-songwriters Community Events Third Friday: 'Into the Woods' is a must-see 5 things to see at Art in Bloom Flowers, art and music highlight Art in Bloom Hip-Hop Poetry Open Mic at OSF's Black Swan in Ashland Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhiits by regional artists Movies Movie review: ‘Mad Max’ is a fresh, fantastic approach to a classic idea Your A-to-Z guide to the ‘Mad Max’ franchise Movie review: ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’ will leave your inner 12-year-old giggling with glee Movie review: ‘Hot Pursuit’ is a hot mess George Miller returns to his ‘Mad Max’ roots Dining 6 stars of the Rogue Valley food universe Cool down with a cold one (or two, or three) Nguyen Street Food From rustic to elegant: Wine tasting in Southern Oregon Quick, easy, versatile Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obits Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Special Sections Business Services NEWS NOW Our View: Kicking state government down the road ... Public meetings for May 18-22, 2015 ... Mt. Ashland Ski Area proposes summer adventure center ... Our View: Kicking state government down the road ... Public meetings for May 18-22, 2015 ... Mt. Ashland Ski Area proposes summer adventure center ... CRIME Transient who shot girlfriend for nagging in Rogue River convicted of murder Comment By Mark Freeman Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Mark Freeman Mail Tribune Posted May. 14, 2015 at 5:08 PM Updated May 15, 2015 at 9:31 AM By Mark Freeman Mail Tribune Posted May. 14, 2015 at 5:08 PM Updated May 15, 2015 at 9:31 AM » Social News A 43-year-old man will spend at least 25 years in prison for murdering his girlfriend in Rogue River the night after Halloween in 2013. Jurors Thursday took about four hours to convict Robert Joseph Simonson of murder for shooting to death 52-year-old Kimberly Ann Staack in the early hours of Nov. 1, 2013, inside a Rogue River apartment the two transients shared. Jackson County Circuit Judge Kim Ravassipour imposed the mandatory sentence of life in prison, with a mandatory 25-year minimum before he qualifies for parole under Oregon sentencing laws. In a trial that began Monday, prosecutors in the case called Staack a "mean drunk" who ruthlessly badgered Simonson for hours the night before he fired a warning shot at the floor then deliberately fired one round from the black-powder pistol into Staack's head. Defense attorney Donald Scales told jurors that a drunken and sleep-deprived Simonson was "stupid" and "reckless" when he pointed the gun near Staack only "to put the ringing in her ears," but tragically shot her. The case hinged on whether jurors believed Simonson intended to kill Staack when he fired the fatal shot — a key legal threshold differentiating murder from manslaughter under Oregon law. The jurors unanimously chose murder after the trial in which Simonson did not take the stand. However, several interviews with Simonson were introduced, showing his account of the shooting changed repeatedly. Chief Deputy District Attorney Jeremy Markiewicz said interviews with Jackson County sheriff's Capt. Nathan Sickler and now-retired Detective Steve Holtus were instrumental in the jury's verdict. In the interviews, Simonson initially called the shooting a suicide then changed it to various versions of a struggle over the weapon before reaching his final story of the shot accidentally hitting Staack in the head when he intended only to scare her into leaving him alone. "That was the key to the whole case — his interviews," Markiewicz said. Reach reporter Mark Freeman at 541-776-4470 or [email protected] . Follow him at www.twitter.com/MTwriterFreeman . Correction : The wrong mugshot ran with an earlier version. By Mark Freeman Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Mark Freeman Mail Tribune Posted May. 14, 2015 at 5:08 PM Updated May 15, 2015 at 9:31 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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