Arkansan held in ’83 Illinois killing

A 56-year-old Carroll County man has been arrested in a homicide almost 30 years ago in Illinois.

Steven Andrew Watts was arrested Monday at his home near Osage on a warrant for first-degree murder in the death of Gary D. Dawson, 30, who died of a head injury, according to a news release from John R. Varga, the sheriff in Lee County, Ill.

The arrest was made by officers from the Carroll County sheriff’s office in Arkansas.

Dawson’s battered body was discovered in rural Franklin Grove, Ill., on Aug. 28, 1983, according to the release.

Watts waived extradition and was being taken Tuesday back to Illinois, according to the release. He is to be held in the Lee County jail in lieu of a $5 million bond.

Carroll County sheriff’s Lt. Ralph Gordon said the case is still under investigation, and no additional information was available Tuesday.

Northwest Arkansas, Pages 13 on 02/20/2013

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