BENTONVILLE -- Prosecutors filed formal charges Thursday against the Bentonville man accused of killing his grandmother.
Michael Eugene Conklin, 26, is charged with capital murder and aggravated robbery in connection with the death of Nelma Darline Conklin. He's being held without bond in the Benton County Jail. Arraignment will be Monday in Circuit Judge Robin Green's courtroom.
Conklin is accused of acting with premeditation and deliberation in causing his 76-year-old grandmother's death, according to court documents. Stab wounds to the neck were the cause of death.
Police went to Nelma Conklin's home for a welfare check July 20. She hadn't been to work at the Walmart Supercenter on Pleasant Grove Road in Rogers since July 14. A co-worker had been unable to contact her and called police, according to court documents.
Police found her dead in the garage of her home at 3300 S.W. Elm Manor Ave. on July 20, according to a probable cause affidavit. Her body was concealed by trash bags and pieces of cardboard, according to the affidavit.
Michael Conklin lived with his grandmother. Police couldn't locate him after finding her body. He was arrested several days later in Saline County.
Police interviewed Nelma Conklin's family and co-workers and learned she and her grandson hadn't been getting along.
Michael Conklin could be sentenced to life imprisonment or the death penalty if convicted of capital murder. Prosecutors haven't announced whether they will seek the death penalty.
He faces from 10 to 40 years or life imprisonment if he is convicted of aggravated robbery.
He also is accused of committing theft in the case.
NW News on 08/08/2014