The allegations that are being prosecuted came from four of Manuel’s children. Sharon Manuel, 50, his adopted daughter, alleged the abuse took place from the time she was 6 to 14 years old. Oliver Manuel Jr., 43, his biological son, alleged that the abuse took place from the time he was 11 to 17 years old. James Rosenburg, 34, his stepson, alleged the abuse took place from the time he was 7 to 17 years old. Sirikka Llohoefner, 27, his biological daughter alleged the abuse took place from the time she was 5 to 11 years old.
    Due to the fact that at the time of the alleged rape there was no statute of limitations for that crime, the county will still be able to prosecute Manuel. However, the statute changed in later years, resulting in some acts not being prosecuted. Though not being prosecuted due to the statute of limitations, Hope Shea, 25, his biological daughter, also alleges abuse took place.
    Manuel had been teaching at UMR since September 1964. From 1982 to 1996, Manuel was named the chair of the chemistry department. Then from July 1999 to June 2000, he acted as interim chair of the department. In 2000, Manuel retired and received emeritus status, which granted him privileges including maintaining office space, being listed in the UMR directory, computer access, a website through UMR, and the ability to continue doing research. This status is only granted after a vote of the faculty and the recommendation of the department chair.
    After hearing about the arrest, Elson S. Floyd, President of the University of Missouri System, informed Manuel that he was forbidden to “come onto campus, occupy any office or other space in any campus space in any campus building which the campus.” Floyd also alerted Manuel that if he had to do so, he could not without first contacting the University Police in order to determine if a security escort is needed.
    “Given the University’s responsibility with respect to the health, safety and welfare of all constituents of the University, including visitors of all ages, to maintain a safe environment, I have concluded that you should no longer be permitted to occupy an office on campus,” Floyd wrote in a letter to Manuel dated May 31, 2006.
    In addition, Manuel’s personal website provided through the university has been “temporarily” shut down, according to Andy Careaga, UMR Director of Communications.
    “Given the circumstances, the university thinks that it’s in the best interest of our students and the public to disable the site for now,” Careaga explained.
    Manuel and his attorney, Tony Skouby from St. James, decided to waive arraignment and set a plea of not-guilty to all charges. Bond was set at $700,000, his attorney filed a motion to reduce that amount.
    On June 8 there was a hearing to reduce Manuel’s bond. Both the Prosecuting Attorney, Ken Clayton, and the defendant’s attorney, Tony Skouby, appeared before Judge Ralph Haslag. Judge Haslag informed all parties of a possible conflict of interest, however all parties requested the judge remain in case for hearing and ruling on the motion of bond reduction.
    On June 12, after taking the matter into advisement, Manuel’s bond was reduced to $125,000 with six stipulations, which are:
    • The defendant is to immediately report to and be supervised by O.C.C.S. upon posting of bond.
    • The defendant is ordered to be confined to his home through electronic monitoring, as provided by O.C.C.S., with monitoring costs being paid for by the defendant, with the requirement that any equipment, phone lines or other modifications necessary to conduct the electronic monitoring be in place or installed at the defendant’s home prior to his release.

    • The defendant is ordered to have no contact with any child under the age of 18 years while on bond, whether supervised or not.
    • The defendant shall not leave his home except with the permission of either the court of O.C.C.S.
• The defendant is ordered to surrender his current passport immediately upon release from the Phelps County Jail to the custody of the Phelps County Circuit Clerk.
    According to Clayton, the motion of bond reduction was strongly argued and opposed by the state.
Two Phelps County judges, Associate Circuit Judge Ralph Haslag and Associate Circuit and Probate Judge Ron White, have now both dismissed themselves from Manuel’s case due to a possible conflict of interest.
    While Haslag did not give a specific reason other than a possible conflict of interest, White has had previous legal dealings with Manuel. A law firm that White formerly worked for represented Manuel in a prior case.
    The case is currently set to begin on September 27.