BENTONVILLE — Two Rogers men pleaded not guilty Monday to charges concerning their roles in an Oklahoma man's death and disposal of his body.
Clifford Dale Casteel, 33, is charged with murder in the second degree, a class A felony. Timothy Sylvester Howell, 26, is charged with hindering apprehension or prosecution, a class B felony.
Casteel is accused of causing Billy Ray Buckley's death by hitting and kicking him in the head and torso, while Howell is accused of providing transportation and helping Casteel dispose of the body in an isolated area off Necessary Road.
The men entered notguilty pleas during their arraignments before Circuit Judge David Clinger.
Buckley, 54, died from trauma to the head and torso, according to Benton County Prosecuting Attorney Van Stone.
Casteel and Howell were arrested Aug. 28.
Buckley's daughter, Tara Thurman, and his girlfriend, Cheri Banning, reported that Buckley, who is from Sapulpa, Okla., had been missing for more than a week on Aug. 20, according to court documents.
Buckley was last seen Aug. 8 at Casteel's residence. Police began looking for Casteel to question him.
Casteel told police he didn't intend to kill Buckley and only hit and kicked him after Buckley struck him.
Casteel claims he then borrowed a car and, with Howell's assistance, took Buckley's body to the Necessary Road site and dumped the body.
Howell claims he didn'thandle the body but drove to the location, court documents state. Howell claims Casteel threatened his family if he (Howell) didn't help him. After they arrived at the scene, Howell got out of the car and ran home, according to an affidavit in the case.
Howell was released from the Benton County Jail after posting $75,000 bond. Casteel is being held in jail in lieu of $150,000 bond.
Prosecutors plan to file a motion to get a sample of Casteel's DNA.
If convicted, Casteel could receive a sentence of six to 30 years in prison; while Howell faces five to 20 years in prison.
News, Pages 7 on 09/29/2009