murders in searcy, arkansas murders in searcy, arkansas

The City-Data.com crime index weighs serious crimes and violent crimes more heavily. Searcy, AR, 1979 - 2023. If you have any information, call the Searcy Police Department Criminal Investigation Division at 501-279-1038. This case is still an active cold case. Lester and the appellant ate lunch in the room, at the suggestion of the appellant, and watched a football game on television. WebMost accurate 2021 crime rates for Searcy, AR. To learn more about ChatGPT and how we can inspire students, we sat down with BestReviews book expert, Ciera Pasturel. The next day, Kimberly Steele was reported missing by her parents who said that the last time they spoke with her was on September 12, 2011. Gen., by Gary Isbell, Asst. The appellant contends that this was reversible error. The trial court stated that the appellant could either have a stenographer take notes, those notes not to constitute an unofficial verbatim transcript, or that the appellant could use an electronic recorder to be operated by counsel for the appellant. Victim: Identified as Robert Simmons in May 2014. A look at what bills could become laws in Arkansas next week, Tornado impacts Pike County, community begins clean up, Your Arkansas weather forecast from THV11, School bus crash causes traffic delays on I-630, West Memphis Three: A second chance to prove innocence, 'I was hiding hard' | Fourth grader who survived Uvalde school shooting gives heartbreaking account of gunman's classroom assault, Police: Arkansas officer held on 'probable cause' for rape of child. See, U.S. v. Nixon, 418 U.S. 683, 94 S.Ct. Under these circumstances we hold that Dr. Rodgers' rights received more than adequate protection at the hands of the police. Lester did this and the appellant then signed the statement. In summary, Dr. Rodgers testified that he was threatened, mistreated, and abused by Officer Lester and that he does not remember making the statements that went into his confession. Crime. .orange-text-color {font-weight:bold; color: #FE971E;}Enjoy features only possible in digital start reading right away, carry your library with you, adjust the font, create shareable notes and highlights, and more. Police need your help bringing the family justice. It was also stated tha the skeletal remains were possibly African or Indian. Arnold v. State, 179 Ark. The appellant had served on the State Racing Commission, was actively engaged in a farming enterprise, and was active in the breeding and showing of walking horses. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. According to police, officers were called to the 300 block of N. Ella St around 3:45 p.m. Wednesday when a relative could not get anyone to answer the door. According to a release from the Searcy Police Department sent Tuesday, officers were sent to South Oak Street to check the welfare of Van Stevens, 74, of Searcy. The appellant contends that he should have been permitted to discover the personnel file of Policeman Lester because it contained information which would tend to impeach Lester's credibility as a witness. Sheriff: Man arrested in stabbing death of mother, (Source: White County Sheriff's Office Facebook), Lawsuit filed against Summit Utilities over price gouging, NWS: EF-2 tornado confirmed in Arkansas storms, 2023 2A State Basketball Tournament: EPC boys fall to Marshall in Quarterfinals, 2023 2A State Basketball Tournament: Bay boys fall to Bigelow in Quarterfinals, Arkansas State womens basketball falls to Southern Miss in SBC Quarterfinals, Arkansas women's basketball falls to #1 South Carolina in SEC Tournament, Fast Break Friday Night (3/3/23): Jonesboro boys advance to 6A state semifinals, The White County Sheriffs Office said on social media. By purchasing this title, you agree to Audible's, Update your device or payment method, cancel individual pre-orders or your subscription at. : Im not sure of my exact age when my mother mentioned something vague about a woman being murdered there (I was born in 1975, just after the events took place). At its conclusion the statement was given to the appellant, who appeared to read it in its entirety. We cannot say that it was abused. A well written, straight forward presentation which had me eager to learn the outcome! Both bodies are being sent to the Arkansas State Crime Lab for autopsies and the investigation is ongoing. HOLT and HICKMAN, JJ., not participating. A preliminary question deserves mention, to-wit, that of suppression of relevant evidence by the prosecution. He was born in Little Rock, Ark., on March 6, 1979, and grew up in Jacksonville. Likewise, Dr. James M. Sims testified that the appellant's waiver, ".. Would have been the product of confusion. The chief said the majority of the crime in Searcy is petty theft. Hurd is considered armed and dangerous. A police investigation revealed the 70-year-old doctor had been enjoying the company of Peggy Hale, his 21-year-old receptionist. During the course of the interview, the appellant told the officers that he wanted to talk to his lawyer before he made any definite statement relative to his wife's death. The appellant's argument is neither factually nor legally sound. Hunter Dean Bishop, 28, of Searcy, who was charged with her murder, was found guilty by a jury Friday in White County Circuit Court. This was done. Select your ideal criteria and let Scout do the rest. The confession was given freely and voluntarily. , Language In addition to capital murder, Jacob Seth Varnell was arrested on suspicion of criminal attempt to commit capital murder. The appellant next contends that the trial court erred in denying him the right to have a daily copy of the trial proceedings. Her body has been sent to the state crime lab to determine what happened @KARK4News @FOX16News pic.twitter.com/XmkxSeucxf. There we held that the State had the burden of proving by a preponderance of the evidence each element essential to the admissibility of a confession. He was lying on a bed in his bedroom with blood on his face from an apparent gunshot wound from a .38 caliber bullet. She was found dead inside the home. 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This statute would not have required that appellant's attorney be permitted to inspect Lester's personnel file. Click on the case name to see the full text of the citing case. The second interview was terminated, again without the appellant being placed in custody or his freedom otherwise restricted. , Text-to-Speech EVENTS. We have reviewed other objections made in the trial court and find none which merit reversal or further discussion. Chris Edwards advised that the skeletal remains had been identified as Robert Simmons who was a missing person out of Augusta, Arkansas. The appellant concedes that these witnesses' testimony is without dispute or conflict relative to the following facts: Food was ordered to the room; there was no evidence that Lester was drinking; no one heard the Rodgers' murder case even mentioned; no one heard or observed any indication that Lester threatened or otherwise abused the appellant. Copyright 2021 KAIT. , File size 466, 330 S.W.2d 281 (1959), this court addressed the issue of the right of confrontation. Height 5'11" Weight 170 pounds Eyes Blue Hair Brown. Relatives say former US Marine killed fighting in, What about Paul Whelan and Brittney Griner left in, Russia frees US Marine vet as part of prisoner exchange, Strike kills 50 at crowded Ukraine rail station, Pink Floyd members reunite and record song for Ukraine, US to send $100M more in military aid to Ukraine, Ukrainian poisonings kill 2 Russian soldiers: officials, National Weather Service confirms tornadoes in AR, Proposed bill would mandate teaching breastfeeding, Garland Co. sheriff releases names in shooting deaths, Garland County deputies: Man & woman dead after shooting, AST Blog: Severe Weather Awareness Week Watches, Heart of a Champion: UAM student on the big screen, Video shows student punching staff member at Little, Loophole getting Arkansans high off Delta-8 products, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Lester did not interrogate the appellant, or even discuss the case, at any time at the motel or during the ride to the prosecuting attorney's office. Police in Searcy are investigating its second homicide in two weeks. Listed below are those cases in which this Featured Case is cited. Citations are also linked in the body of the Featured Case. Other US patent applications are currently pending. NeighborhoodScout has done just that. Officers were called to check on 23-year-old Madison Clevenger because she was not showing up for work and answering her phone. Police say they found several puncture wounds on his body. , Publication date Web"A Murder in Searcy," by Deana Hamby Nall and Mike S. Allen, is a meticulously reported look into the slaying of Rodgers, who was found dead at her grand home on Race Avenue in According to NeighborhoodScout's analysis of FBI reported crime data, your chance of becoming a victim of one of these crimes in Searcy is one in 149. Gen., Little Rock, for appellee. To be sure, the subject matter of the photographs would alone tend to justify their characterization as gory and, at least to some extent, inflammatory. There we held, citing the Nail case, that the right to confront witnesses is not impaired unless the defendant is denied the right to question the doctors who examined him. Cf. The White County Sheriffs Office said on social media that Jacob Seth Varnell, 24, of Bald Knob was arrested in the case. (Supp. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. To learn more about ChatGPT and how we can inspire students, we sat down with BestReviews book expert, Ciera Pasturel. At 3:21 A.M. the appellant signed a written waiver of these rights. (WMC-TV) - The family of a nurse who was murdered by her husband is transforming the tragic loss into a big lesson for others. : This occurred at approximately 3:00 A.M. the morning of November 9. A police car went to the appellant's hotel and transported him to the prosecuting attorney's office. According to police, officers were called to the 300 block of N. The Searcy Police Department is investigating a murder-suicide that happened Wednesday evening. .orange-text-color {font-weight:bold; color: #FE971E;}View high quality images that let you zoom in to take a closer look. Police said that based on the evidence they have; it is believed that Ollis Jr. murdered his wife and then committed The appellant was sent to the Arkansas State Hospital for a mental examination and the results of that examination ultimately were introduced into evidence. The appellant readily agreed, but Lester said he was busy then and would have to phone back later. Enjoy a great reading experience when you buy the Kindle edition of this book. 393 U.S. 917, 89 S.Ct. The appellant now brings to this Court eight points on which he relies for reversal. While there is substantial conflict between the appellant's and the police version of this interview, several facts related to it are not in dispute. That evening, Ruby picked up Glens dirty laundry and took it with hers to a laundromat in Searcy. Some parts 2023 Advameg, Inc. Crime rate in Searcy, Arkansas (AR): murders, rapes, robberies, assaults, burglaries, thefts, auto thefts, arson, law enforcement employees, police officers, crime map. Since 2010, I have been working this case. Those four people were Larry Don Madden, Antonio Taylor, Jarrod Green, and Matthew Pentagrast. WebDeputies identified the victim as Tim Blackburn, 59, who was transported to a local hospital and later died. However, the most that can be said for the defense evidence on this point is that Dr. Rodgers was "confused". There was a Porter Rodgers Sr. & Jr., which was confusing & I really disliked the idea of anything disturbing my childhood fantasies about the big white house so I didnt pursue much info. Upon arrival, Sheriffs Deputies found William C. Varnell, 63, inside the home with multiple stab wounds. Book was based on true story in Searcy AR. To establish the totality of the circumstances surrounding the confession, it is necessary to review that particular interview, as well as the two interviews immediately preceding it. SEARCY, Ark. WebOn March 11, 2002 at approximately 5:42 P.M. a 71 year-old woman identified as Mrs. Jane Murdaught was found brutally beaten in her residence located at 835 Fairview Road in A police officer, James Lester, drove the appellant back to his hotel at approximately 4:45 A.M. Lester testified that he did not attempt to interrogate the appellant during the trip to the hotel. NorthStar EMS responded and transported Mr. Varnell to the White County Unity Hospital Emergency Room where he received emergency medical treatment for his injuries, White County deputies said. In response, the State Hospital furnished its file on Dr. Rodgers. Searcy Police say do not approach or try to apprehend Anonymous tips on any of these cold cases can be left with dispatch at 501-279-6279. Marlin Dwayne Bradley lived at 2612 Eastline Road in Searcy and was married to Kisa Bradley. Jesus Silvia was a 39 year-old Hispanic male from Jacksonville who was reported missing on Wednesday, June 9, 2004. Lester first phoned the appellant at about 10:00 A.M. stating that he wanted to talk to the appellant. Lester transcribed this confession in long-hand. Raw crime incidents are sourced from all 18,000+ local law enforcement agencies municipal, county, transit, park, port, university, tribal and more, assigned to localities, then built into NeighborhoodScouts proprietary predictive models to provide a comprehensive crime risk profile for every neighborhood and address-vicinity in the U.S. More about NeighborhoodScouts crime data methodology, By sending this Report you agree to NeighborhoodScout's, My Chances of Becoming a Victim of a Perry v. State, 255 Ark. We just send our prayers out to them right now, said DeWitt. On Friday, May 15, officers with the Searcy Police Department responded to Horton Street to check the welfare of Clevenger where they found her dead. I never questioned why the house had a name. Unlimited reading. Lee v. State, 229 Ark. Sanders declares state of emergency after storms, National Weather Service confirms tornadoes in AR, Proposed bill would mandate teaching breastfeeding, Garland Co. sheriff releases names in shooting deaths, Garland County deputies: Man & woman dead after shooting, AST Blog: Severe Weather Awareness Week Watches, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. The appellant contends that the trial court erred by not granting a new trial because of newly discovered evidence consisting of a psychological report of Dr. Daniel Taub and the testimony of Dr. Taub. Those 12 are from surrounding states. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities. In May 2014, Medical Examiner Chris Edwards whom I have been working with to get this person identified contacted the White County Sheriff's Department. Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app. HOMICIDE: @SearcyPD need your help. How much help are American volunteers in Ukraine? Your chance of being a victim of violent crime in Searcy is 1 in 149 and property crime is 1 in 24. Full disclosure: I was born & raised in Searcy, my father was born at Porter Rodgers hospital, & I dreamed of someday living in a huge, fancy beautiful white house with a white brick fence like the one I passed practically every day of my lifethe Porter Rodgers house. Its very tragic, said Todd DeWitt from the Searcy Police Department. Alarmed, Mary Claire called the police. The appellant here contends that the introduction into evidence of that signed confession violated appellant's rights to counsel and to refrain from incriminating himself. Ark.Stat. Call it Arkansas noir. Approximately two weeks later Mrs. Rodgers' husband, Porter R. Rodgers, Sr., the appellant herein, was charged in her death with capital felony murder. : This argument is without merit. The appellant next contends that the trial court erred in admitting into evidence the State Hospital report on the ultimate issue of insanity. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. As much that is going on, Searcy is still a good town, said DeWitt. At the request of the appellant he was also permitted to personally confront Miss Hale, who confirmed to the appellant that she had made the statement to the police. : The interview was terminated without further interrogation and without the appellant being arrested. The appellant had organic brain syndrome which reduced his mental capacity, particularly when he was fatigued or under stress. Do you believe that this item violates a copyright? Lester telephoned again about 11:00 A.M. and told the appellant to meet him at the appellant's room in Noble's Motel. The NeighborhoodScout search engine is covered under US Patents No. , Sticky notes However, the photographs were material, relevant and accurate. For details, please see the Terms & Conditions associated with these promotions. Assuming that the Taub report was newly discovered evidence, that is not enough. The appellant's organic brain syndrome was mild to moderate, and was certainly not severe. The appellant's condition was not different than that which would be expected in a person of his age. Prior to that interview the police investigators had obtained statements from both Hale and Kimbrell which implicated them, together with the appellant, in the murder of Mrs. Rodgers. The appellant made a tacit admission of his involvement in the murder, as well as a specific request for the assistance of an attorney. Here, the mandate of the statute is quite clear. He was found murdered on April 20th, 1989 off Hwy 31 north of Beebe, Arkansas. Jim Guy Tucker, Atty. This, the trial court may do by an in camera inspection of the material sought. On the night of September 25, 1974, Fern Rodgers was shot and killed at her home in Searcy. 18 (1964). It is undisputed that the disciplinary action was in another case and was totally unrelated to the Rodgers' murder investigation. Police in Searcy are investigating a murder/suicide that occurred on N. Ella St Wednesday afternoon. Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web. WebSearcy Police Department What: Confirms shooting incident to be murder-suicide, identifies victim, assailant Who: Josh Acevedo, 31, of Bald Knob and Cody Benton, 24, of Judsonia This is important because the overall crime rate can be further illuminated by understanding if violent crime or property crimes (or both) are the major contributors to the general rate of crime in Searcy. Dr. Oscar Kozberg was a staff psychiatrist at the State Hospital and was the State's primary witness on this issue. Compare Searcy crime data to The appellant does not contend that the personnel file itself, or any part of it, was admissible in evidence. Finally, the appellant testified that Lester called less than ten minutes later and told the appellant to meet him at Room 124 at the Kings Inn. In substance, there was evidence to the effect that it was intended that Kimbrell rob Mrs. Rodgers in addition to killing her. And further, before any such subsequent interview was commenced, Dr. Rodgers was again advised of his rights and willingly signed a written waiver of those rights. Rather, the appellant simply denies any recollection of making the statement. To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we dont use a simple average. The explanation of the missing State Hospital report was simply that Taub's report was not considered to be part of the file at the time the subpoena was served. The appellant knew that he had the right to remain silent and that he had the right to counsel during questioning. At the time of appellant's trial there was such a statute in Arkansas. The 68-year-old socialite was murdered, sometime in the night, by two bullets fired into her head. He was later arrested at a house on Highway 258, outside Bald Knob. I almost felt like I had been transported back in time to 1974 in Searcy, Arkansas. On the morning of Sept. 26, 1974, a housekeeper discovered the body of 67-year-old Fern Rodgers, wife of Dr. Porter Rodgers, Sr., a wealthy Searcy physician. The State, it is argued, used this charge to allow it to qualify a death penalty jury. Police say Frank Ollis murder his wife Jesayia before killing himself. Dr. Taub's test results and his opinions were merely cumulative and in no way inconsistent with the tests and opinions expressed by other evidence presented by the State at the trial. Reflects 2021 calendar year; released from FBI in Oct. 2022 (latest available). We have reviewed the record relative to the confession according to the standard established in Degler v. State, 257 Ark. Redemption links and eBooks cannot be resold. In Izard County, a billboard advertising a reward in the murder case of Rebekah Gould was installed near Melbourne. in professional writing from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. The appellant's version of the interview contains the following facts which are at odds with the police version. Property Subject was found murdered in the Romance, Arkansas area May 9th, 1987. The expert psychological and psychiatric evidence is in the same category. In the instant case, we find each of the following to be established by an overwhelming preponderance of the evidence. The photographs in question were color shots of the deceased's remains as discovered at the crime scene. SEARCY, Ark. The appellant was, of course, convicted of a lesser charge, murder in the first degree. This is for the simple reason that Dr. Rodgers does not attribute his confession to the allegedly coercive behavior of Lester. The incident is being investigated as a homicide. After talking with witnesses, deputies then began to develop Jacob Seth Varnell as a suspect in the case. The ratio of all residents to sex offenders in Searcy is 345 to 1. The entire interview lasted approximately one hour. We sent the body off to the crime lab, said DeWitt. Gender and Ethnic Affinity: Evaluations by a forensic anthropologist suggested the remains shared both classifications as male or female. We have reviewed each instruction individually, as well as reviewing the instructions on each issue collectively. A forensic examination determined that he died as a result of blunt force trauma and the death was ruled a homicide. Nail v. State, supra. There is also no evidence that Leon Catlett, or any other attorney, was actually employed by appellant to represent him relative to the police investigation of Mrs. Rodgers' murder. The appellant was tried alone for his alleged part in this conspiracy. The next police interview with the appellant occurred during the early morning hours of November 9. The appellant contends that filing the more serious charge is reversible error unless there is evidence in the record which would have sustained a jury verdict of guilty to the charge of capital felony murder. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. U.S. v. Olin Mathieson Chemical Corporation, D.C., 36 F.R.D. The fire was called in by a neighbor and it was determined by firefighters to have been set in multiple places. The so-called confession consisted of admissions by the appellant that he had, with the assistance of Peggy Hale, hired Barry Kimbrell to kill Fern Rodgers. Witnesses in the area said that they saw a small blue car leaving Kimberly's home shortly before the flames were seen. Does this item contain inappropriate content? Hence, the issue now before the Court is whether this was newly discovered evidence which would entitle the defendant to a new trial. The admissibility of such a report has been established by this Court in Nail v. State, 231 Ark. Authorities said they got a call around 7:45 p.m. Friday about the stabbing in the 200 block of South Wallace Road in Bald Knob. All the trademarks displayed on this page are the property of Location, Inc. Methodology: I had never before heard of the Porter murder case and found myself intrigued from the start of this book. WebSEARCY, Ark. The substance of the appellant's evidence was that while he was legally responsible for his conduct, he suffered from diminished capacity under stress, both with respect to the ability to tell right from wrong and to knowingly and intelligently waive his constitutional rights. When Lester and the appellant arrived at the prosecuting attorney's office no one was there. I didnt necessarily connect it to the big fancy house. On Thursday June 24, 2004, human remains were found off of Rio Vista Road in White County and were later identified as Jesus Silvia. This is compared to communities of all sizes, from the smallest to the largest. According to Searcy Police, Robert Hurd, of Searcy, shot and killed Kalas, 38, on Randal Drive on April 29. Bishop was already being held at the White County Law Enforcement Center on the charges of Possession of a Firearm By Certain Persons and Theft by Receiving. NeighborhoodScout provides exclusive crime risk analytics for every neighborhood in America with up to 98% predictive accuracy. Marty worked as a truck driver at Agri Turf in Searcy and on July 19, 1994, he requetsed to be off work on August 5, 1994 so he could "go out of town on family business". I found it interesting to actually be familiar with so many of the places and towns referenced in the book. That is, the appellant was intellectually superior to the average seventy year old person. Both bodies have been sent to the state crime lab. Stevens remained with Lester and the appellant until the statement was completed. A welfare check in Searcy leads officers to a home where they found a woman dead. If you have any information, please contact us. Copyright 2000-2023 Location Inc. The appellant was again informed of his rights, specifically that he had the right to remain silent and the right to have an attorney present during the interview. Robert Simmons was a resident in Augusta where his family still resdies. 228, 424 S.W.2d 856, cert. On September 15, 2011, Kimberly's badly burned and decomposed body was discovered in Prairie County at the Wattensaw Refuge. The appellant argues that the prosecution knew in advance of jury selection and trial that its evidence would not support a capital felony murder conviction. WebThe 2019 crime rate in Searcy, AR is 456 (City-Data.com crime index), which is 1.7 times higher than the U.S. average. Miss Hale, who was also present, recalled the appellant stating to the officers that " he would contact his lawyer and get back in touch with them.". We have concluded that the trial court's instructions were correct statements of the applicable law which fully and completely instructed the jury on the issues in question. In Perry v. State, supra, we noted that the inflammatory nature of a photograph would not alone render it inadmissible. Date(s) & Update Frequency: Leagle.com reserves the right to edit or remove comments but is under no obligation to do so, or to explain individual moderation decisions. Anytime especially in the town of Searcy we are not like big towns, we dont have a lot of issues with crime, but here recently its been kind of ramped up a little bit, said DeWitt. The appellant and Lester were alone in Room 124 most of the time. That is not an issue here because it is admitted that no one connected with the investigation or the prosecution of the appellant was ever aware of the existence of Dr. Taub or his report until after completion of the trial herein.