cold case playing cards-missouri -Video-01 (cold case playing cards-missouri 01-08-09.wmv)

Unsolved cases being featured on cards

January 10, 2009

The Missouri State Highway Patrol wants some information about 52 cases and has decided to use a deck of playing cards to get that assistance.

Beginning Feb. 1, the Highway Patrol will distribute decks of customized playing cards to inmates in the Missouri Department of Corrections and some in county jails, said Col. James F. Keathley, patrol superintendent.

The customized playing cards feature unsolved homicides, missing persons, wanted fugitive photos and case profiles. One missing person case from Northwest Missouri will be in the deck.

The Branson Perry case has been included in the deck, said Jason Clark, a spokesman for the Highway Patrol. Effective Playing Cards & Publications, a Florida-based company, is producing the deck.

The company’s Web site says it has more than 30 decks in use. It recently distributed a Florida deck to inmates in that state. The profiles may generate new tips related to the cases indicated on each card.

Timothy Thomas Coombs will be the ace of spades in the deck. Mr. Coombs is the patrol’s most wanted individual. The patrol and other law enforcement agencies want to question him about the death of a trooper.

The playing card initiative is the result of grants from the Taney County prosecuting attorney’s office, Bass Pro Shops and other sources, Mr. Clark said.
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