FAYETTEVILLE -- An accomplice to capital murder charge has been dropped for one of two men charged in the death of a woman near Tontitown.
Brock Atkins, 19, of Tontitown and Lewis Anthony "Tony" Hedges, 34, of Springdale were charged with being accomplices to capital murder in the stabbing death of Leann Frazier in May. Both pleaded not guilty.
Prosecutors amended the charge against Hedges on Thursday to hindering apprehension, a felony punishable by five to 20 years in prison. Hedges was released on his own recognizance Thursday from the Washington County Detention Center.
Matt Durrett, chief deputy prosecutor, said it appears Hedges wasn't at the house when the murder occurred.
Durrett said evidence points away from Hedges being involved in the murder and toward him destroying evidence and deleting electronic messages.
Washington County Circuit Judge William Storey reset the cases against Atkins and Hedges to Dec. 15.
Frazier was killed early May 21 at Atkins' home.
Atkins was arrested shortly after Frazier's death. He told police Frazier arrived at his house with two men that morning, according to his preliminary arrest report. She accused him of stealing methamphetamine and he denied the accusation, Atkins told police in May.
Atkins told police Hedges brandished a handgun and threatened to kill him and his family if Atkins didn't kill Frazier, according to the report.
Atkins told police Frazier fled and he tackled her and stabbed her in the throat, according to the report.
Hedges fled the area and was arrested May 30 in Texas.
If convicted, Atkins faces life in prison without the possibility of parole or the death penalty.
Prosecutors haven't decided whether to seek the death penalty against Atkins. He's being held without bond at the Washington County Detention Center.
NW News on 08/15/2014