Assault suspected in Blytheville death
BLYTHEVILLE- Blytheville police are investigating the death of a man, who appeared to have suffered a seizure, as a homicide, Capt.
Scott Adams, commander of the Blytheville Police Department’s criminal investigation division, said Tuesday.
Officers responded to a call in the 1700 block of Chickasawba Street in west Blytheville on June 27, where they found Herman Lee Jackson, 48, lying on his back, Adams said.
Medical personnel took Jackson to the Great River Medical Center in Blytheville and later to the Regional Medical Center in Memphis. Jackson died June 29, Adams said.
Officers noted a small amount of blood under Jackson’s head when paramedics moved him. Doctors told detectives that injuries to Jackson were consistent with blows to the head, which may have caused the seizure. Detectives also received tips that Jackson was assaulted June 27.
Medical examiners ruled the death a homicide after they conducted an autopsy at the state Crime Laboratory, Adams said.
Police have a person of interest, but no arrests have been made, Adams said.
- ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE
City votes to close Police Department
HORSESHOE BEND - City leaders in Horseshoe Bend have voted to shut down the Police Department and instead rely on coverage from the Izard County sheriff’s office.
The Horseshoe Bend City Council voted 6-2 this week to disband the Police Department and sign a $240,000 contract with the sheriff’s office. Mayor Bob Barnes said the move will save the city about $65,000 a year.
Under the arrangement, Izard County deputies will provide 24-hour security for the town. Sheriff’s office dispatchers in Melbourne will receive the town’s emergency calls.
Izard County Sheriff Tate Lawrence said he’ll hire four deputies to serve in Horseshoe Bend and that he’ll likely pick from the six officers who worked for the Police Department.
- THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
One lane to close on Bull Shoals Dam
The Arkansas 178 Bridge across Bull Shoals Dam will be partially closed from 6:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday, the U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers announced Wednesday. One lane of the highway is expected to be closed while the bridge is being inspected.
Drivers should expect delays and should drive carefully around work crews. More information is available by calling the Corps of Engineers Mountain Home Project Office at (870) 425-2700.
- ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE
Man gets 10 years for shooting friend
VIAN, Okla.- A Vian man charged in the fatal shooting of his friend has pleaded no contest to manslaughter in the case.
James Arthur Dee Moffett waived his preliminary hearing Tuesday and entered his plea in Sequoyah County District Court. Hewas initially charged with second-degree murder in the July 28 death of 31-year-old Stanley Leon Ross of Vian.
Police allege that Moffett was intoxicated and handling a shotgun recklessly when it fired, striking Ross in the head.
The Southwest Times Record reported that Moffett was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Under Oklahoma law, Moffett must serve 85 percent of the sentence before he’s eligible for parole.
- THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Man pleads guilty in Carthage death
JOPLIN, Mo.- A man charged in the beating death of a Carthage man accepted a plea deal shortly before jury selection was to begin for his trial.
Ronald G. Inman, 32, of Webb City pleaded guilty Tuesday to voluntary manslaughter in the 2011 death of Travis Weaver, 43. Inman had been charged with second-degree murder.
The Joplin Globe reported Inman will be sentenced Sept. 23.
Prosecutors said Weaver died of blunt-force trauma to his head suffered during a dispute with Inman at a home east of Joplin.
Inman claimed he hit Weaver in self-defense as Weaver came at him with a knife. But a detective testified at an earlier hearing that no knife was found and blood evidence suggested Weaver was hit while he sat in a chair.
- THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Police chase ends with deputy bitten
CAPE FAIR, Mo. - Prosecutors are studying possible charges against a southwest Missouri man accused of biting a deputy after a brief chase.
Stone County Sheriff Doug Rader said officers were called to a restaurant in Cape Fair late Monday on a report of a pickup hitting other vehicles in a parking lot.
Authorities said a deputy stopped the truck in Galena, but the driver sped off and led officers on a seven-block chase before crashing.
Deputies approaching the truck said the driver got out holding a hay hook. He dropped the hook but bit a deputy in the calf while being handcuffed.
The 46-year-old Galena man was being held Tuesday in the Stone County jail. The deputy was released from a hospital after being treated for the bite wound.
- THE ASSOCIATED PRESSWoman, grandson disappear on ATV
POTEAU, Okla. - Authorities in eastern Oklahoma are searching for a woman and her 10-year-old grandson who were last seen riding an ATV.
The Le Flore County sheriff’s office said Sarah Alan and her grandson, Lance Bartleson, were last seen about noon Tuesday riding an ATV at Cavanal Hill near Poteau. Authorities told Fort Smith television station KHBS that the pair was riding a green Polaris Ranger side-by-side ATV.
Deputies searched for the pair Tuesday afternoon but had to suspend efforts because of stormy weather. The search continued Wednesday.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Le Flore County sheriff’s office.
- THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Northwest Arkansas, Pages 10 on 07/25/2013