Wednesday, July 27, 2011

~UPDATED ~Landlord - Tenant Dispute Turns Deadly In Newton County; Suspect Charged With First Degree Murder:

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Danny Kay Thomas
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Authorities in Newton County are investigating a homicide near Stella.

Sheriff Ken Copeland says a dispute last night between a landlord and tenant at 19348 Route O ended with the landlord, 54 year-old Darrell Bone, of Pea Ridge, Arkansas being shot to death. 

Copeland says a friend of Danny Kay Thomas, 60, called them this morning to report a shooting.  When authorities arrived at the probation and parole office where the friend worked they questioned Thomas, who told investigators he shot Bone about 9 p.m. the previous evening (07-26-11.)
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Property where Darrel Bone was found murdered (courtesy KOAM)

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When officers went to the farmhouse they found Bone dead in the backyard.  Newton County Prosecutor Jake Skouby says Thomas told detectives Bone "was bangin' on his door and threatened to kill him." When Bone turned to leave Thomas said he went and got a gun and shot him in the back,,,and then "shot him twice in the face to finish him off."
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Thomas told investigators he then drove around in Bone's pickup truck, "thinking about what he had done."
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The truck and a rifle found inside the vehicle were recovered at the probation and parole office, according to Copeland.
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According to court documents, Bone went to the residence to inform Thomas he would be selling the property and Thomas would have to find somewhere else to live. Thomas shot Bone in the back with a rifle as he was walking away and then walked up and shot him in the face twice.
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Thomas has been charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action.  Skouby says he will ask a judge that Thomas be held without bond.
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Southwest Missouri Forensics will conduct an autopsy tomorrow in Springfield.
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UPDATE 09-07-11:

Thomas waived his right to a preliminary hearing and was automaticall bound over for trial.

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