$500,000 bond for man charged with murder

Monday, October 15, 2012

A Bella Vista man is being held on $500,000 bond in the Benton County Jail in connection with the stabbing death of a woman.

Leon Louis Lincoln Jr., 40, was arrested Saturday on a charge of murder in the first degree, a Class Y felony, which is punishable with a prison sentence ranging from 10 to 40 years or life imprisonment.

Theresa Voshell, 46, died Saturday at Mercy Hospital after suffering multiple stab wounds, according to Bella Vista police.

Police were called at 6:17 a.m. to 12 Thaxted Drive. Voshell was staying at the house. Lincoln lived in the house with relatives, but Voshell was not related to him, according to Capt. Tim Cook of the Bella Vista Police Department.

Lincoln appeared in court Monday morning for bond hearing and Circuit Judge Robin Green found that probable cause did exist to hold Lincoln on the murder charge.

Benton County Prosecutor Van Stone requested that bond be set at $500,000.

Chief Public Defender Jay Saxton, who stood in with Lincoln for the hearing, told the judge that Lincoln would not be able to make the $500,000 or any bond. Saxton said a parole hold may be placed on Lincoln to prevent his release from jail even if he could post the bond.

Saxton suggested that the bond be set at $100,000.

Stone also told the court that Lincoln had a substantial criminal history. Stone said the local parole office would place a hold on Lincoln.

The judge set Lincoln’s bond at $500,000.

Lincoln’s arraignment is scheduled for 8 a.m. Oct. 29.

Prosecutors have not filed a formal charge against Lincoln.

According to court documents, Bella Vista police arrested Lincoln on July 23, 2010 for commercial burglary in connection with a break-in at United Lutheran Church.

Lincoln pleaded guilty to breaking or entering on March 2, 2011 and he was sentenced to 6 years in the Arkansas Department of Correction.