Opening Statements in Murder Case

By Tracy Neal

Posted: November 10, 2011 at 12:29 p.m.

Credit: Benton County Jail
Michael Shane Winters

• Print item
• E-mail
• Share
• Tweet

Testimony began Thursday morning in the capital murder of trial of Michael Shane Winters.

Winters and Nicholas Johansen are charged with capital murder and aggravated robbery. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.

The pair are charged in connection with the deaths of Louise Bishop, 81, and Christina Bishop, 40.

Benton County Prosecutor Van Stone told jurors in his opening statements that the murders began as a plot to rob Louise Bishop. “There were not random victims of murder,” Stone said.

Robby Golden, one of Winters’ attorneys, said his client did aid in helping hide the bodies, but the dispute of the case will center around what happened at the Bishop’s home.

The Bishops were reported missing June 21, 2009. They were last seen at Sam’s Club in Bentonville. Their bodies were found Feb. 1, 2010, in a shallow grave at 15226 Sugar Creek Road, between Garfield and Avoca, according to court documents.

Police believe the two were attacked the night of June 18, 2001 at their home at 2910 Southeast J St.

Louise Bishop’s nephew and godson George Skupien testified that he became concerned after not hearing from his aunt and cousin. Skupien and his wife went to the home at 2910 Southeast J St. and called 911 after finding the bottom portion of dentures on the floor in the doorway of the home.

“I realized it could be my aunt’s teeth,” Skupien, who is a retired Chicago police investigator, said. “I just felt in my heart those were her teeth. She would never go outside without her teeth.”

Winters and Johansen are having separate trials. Jury selection in Johansen’s case is scheduled to begin Jan. 18.

Comments

To report abuse or misuse of this area please hit the "Suggest Removal" link in the comment to alert our online managers. Please read our comment policy.

Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.