Authorities Believe Gold, Silver Coins Motive For Springdale Killing

Sydney Adams
Sydney Adams

BENTONVILLE -- Authorities believe the killing of a Springdale man began with a plot to steal gold and silver coins from his home, according to court documents released late Thursday.

Edward Abel, 62, was stabbed to death and pronounced dead at Northwest Medical Center-Springdale on Aug. 16.

At A Glance (w/logo)

The Charges

James Michael Smith, 48, of Springdale is charged with capital murder, aggravated robbery and aggravated residential burglary. John Armando Guerra, 55, is charged in connection with capital murder and aggravated robbery. Both are being held without bond in the Benton County Jail.

Pamela Jerrolds, 48, of Springdale; John Adams, 32, of Springdale; and Sydney Adams, 31, of Duncan, Okla., have been arrested on charges of theft of property and theft by receiving, both Class B felonies. Jerrolds and Sydney Adams are being held in the county jail on $150,000 bonds. John Adams is being held on a $200,000 bond.

Source: Staff Report

Abel lived in the portion of Springdale in Benton County.

John Armando Guerra, 55, of Duson, La., and James Michael Smith, 48, of Springdale face capital murder and aggravated robbery charges in connection with Abel's death.

Pamela Jerrold, 48, of Springdale, John Adams, 32, of Springdale, and Sydney Adams, 31, of Duncan, Okla., have been arrested on theft-related charges involving Abel.

Court documents had been sealed, but Circuit Judge Brad Karren ordered redacted affidavits be released.

John Adams used to live with Abel at 8881 E. Brown Road. The two men had a falling out after Abel suspected Adams stole ammunition from him. Abel made Adams and his wife, Sydney, move out, according to a probable cause affidavit. John Adams was on parole from the Arkansas Department of Correction.

Sydney Adams told police she went with her husband, Pamela Jerrold and Jerrold's brother to Abel's home to retrieve clothes that belonged to Abel's late wife. Sydney Adams said while going through clothes on the porch they found a safe in a laundry basket of clothes.

They gave the safe to Abel, who thanked them and gave them a few coins from the safe.

Michelle Frazier told Springdale police Jerrold told her about finding a safe and giving it back to Abel. Frazier said Jerrold told her another safe with gold coins also was found on the porch and Jerrold and the others took it.

Larry Harris told police he was at an apartment shared by Jerrold and Smith where Jerrold showed him a plastic bag with silver coins in it. Harris said Jerrold told him the coins came from a theft from an "old man."

Jerrold claimed they stole a safe while picking up clothes at the "old man's house," according to Harris. Harris said they took the safe to "Lucky," who he identified as John Adams, to open the safe. They opened it and it was full of coins.

Harris said Smith and Jerrold rented an apartment in Centerton, but neither Smith nor Jerrold had jobs. Harris said Smith was a panhandler from time to time.

Smith and Jerrold bought a flat-screen television, a bed, a recliner and a van, according to court documents.

Harris also told police John and Sydney Adams also rented an apartment at the same complex. Harris claims the Adamses bought a flat-screen television, household furnishings and a Buick. They also leased another apartment at the complex for another person.

Harris told police that on Aug. 16 Jerrold, Smith and Guerra, also known as "Hippie," came by his house. Harris said he heard Jerrold and Smith arguing about whether she would go with them to rob an "old man." Jerrold told Smith she wanted to go with him and wanted half of what they got. Smith told her she couldn't go.

Harris said Smith asked him to go with him to do a robbery and someone would hold the "old man" while someone else searched for a safe with gold and silver. Harris refused to participate.

Another witness, whose name was redacted, reported Smith, Jerrold and "Hippie" came by his house Aug. 16. Smith asked about Abel's gold and silver and the location of Abel's home. The witness said he never had been to the home so he couldn't give directions.

Springdale police were called at 11:15 p.m. Aug. 16 to Abel's home on East Brown Road. A woman reported Able left a message on her voice mail. The woman could hear Abel pleading with people who demanded to know where he kept his safe.

Abel could be heard telling someone to take his wallet because that was all he had. Abel's dog is heard barking in the background. One person demanded to know where the safe was. Abel denied having a safe. The person again demanded to know where the safe was, according to the affidavit.

The voice mail recorded loud screaming that sounded like it was coming from Abel. The message ended a short time later.

Police found Abel on his kitchen floor. He was to the hospital where he died.

Abel had a stab wound to his abdomen, cuts to the top of his head and a cut to his neck and hands. A reference to another injury was redacted from the affidavit.

Smith, Guerra and Jerrold later were arrested in Norfolk, Va., and brought back to Benton County.

Police later found one of Abel's safes that was full of silver coins in plastic sleeves.

Leanna Napier, a high school friend of Jerrold and Sydney Adams, told detectives Jerrold showed her a silver coin in a plastic case in September 2012, according to the affidavit. Jerrold claimed the coin was from an inheritance.

Springdale police were able to trace instances where Jerrold sold some of the coins at various locations.

Jerrold received $1,675 on Oct. 19, 2012, and $1,393 on Oct. 20, 2012. There was another transaction, but the amount was not listed in court documents.

NW News on 03/01/2014

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