Bella Vista Man's Bond Increased

BENTONVILLE — Ricky Witcher made his first circuit court appearance Thursday after his arrest in connection with making death threats to a judge and two Bentonville attorneys.

Witcher, 54, of Bella Vista is charged with threatening a judicial officer/juror, a Class B felony; and two counts of terroristic threatening in the first degree, a Class D felony.

The arrest stems from statements Witcher made concerning Circuit Judge John Scott, Greg Clark and Seth Bickett.

At A Glance

About The Case

A Class B felony is punishable with a prison sentence ranging from five to 20 years. Ricky Witcher of Bella Vista faces up to six years in prison for each of the Class D felonies.

Source: Staff Report

Witcher has been in the Benton County Jail since his Jan. 10 arrest. Bond was set at $250,000.

Prosecutors filed a motion to revoke Witcher’s bond because he was accused of committing crimes while out on bond in two cases.

David Cook, a process server, gave court papers to Witcher at his job in Bella Vista earlier this month, according to court documents. The papers were in connection with legal matters in a divorce case. Cook said Witcher became angry with the legal system, according to the probable cause affidavit. Witcher stated how he hated Scott and if he had a gun he would put a bullet in Scott’s head, Cook said according to court documents.

Witcher repeated the statement several times, according to court documents.

Witcher told Cook he wasn't going back to Scott’s court and planned to leave the state, according to the affidavit. Cook said Witcher again said Scott, Clark and Bickett needed to be killed, according to the affidavit.

Clark represented Witcher and Bickett acted as a child ad litem attorney in the divorce case.

Judge Xollie Duncan will preside over Witcher’s criminal case and the domestic case after circuit judges Brad Karren and Robin Green recused from the case.

Witcher was in Duncan’s court Thursday afternoon.

Elizabeth Castleman, deputy prosecutor, told Duncan that Witcher was arrested in 2013 for terroristic threatening and was free on $2,500 bond. Witcher also was arrested in 2013 for resisting arrest, harassment and violation of a protection order and was released on $10,000 bond.

Castleman wanted Duncan to set Witcher’s bonds at $50,000 each for the two cases. She also wanted Duncan to order Witcher not to possess any guns or consume alcohol or drugs if released. She also wanted Duncan to order Witcher to wear a home monitoring unit or report to a probation officer if released from custody.

Sergio Barron, deputy public defender, told Duncan his office and the Conflict’s Office in Fayetteville had conflicts and neither could represent Witcher. The Arkansas Public Defenders Commission will assign an attorney to represent Witcher.

Barron asked Duncan to take the bond issue under advisement or allow Witcher’s attorney to address the issue.

Witcher felt his bond should be lowered and not increased.

“I haven’t done anything to be arrested for this time,” Witcher said.

Witcher also said it would be unlikely he would be able to post the bond.

Witcher said “$250,000 is ridiculous.”

Castleman told Duncan prosecutors filed formal charges in connection with the third case.

“It looks like they are trying to keep me in jail,” Witcher said.

Duncan increased the lower bonds to $50,000 each, but didn't touch the $250,000 bond.

Witcher must now post a $350,000 bond to get out of jail.

Upcoming Events