Officer Involved Shooting Near Republic Leaves One Woman Dead:

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Greene County Sheriff Jim Arnott

Authorities from multiple agencies are investigating an officer involved shooting tonight (10-4-11) that has left one person dead.

Greene County Sheriff Jim Arnott says 9-1-1 dispatcher's received multiple calls about 8:45 about an intoxicated driver on James River Freeway near Republic.  Arnott says when the description of a bluish-green mini-van was involved the Highway Patrol advised that the vehicle could belong to someone who was suicidal and possibly armed.
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Authorities at scene of officer involved shooting surround Tammy Robinette's vehicle (courtesy Springfield News Leader)

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Arnott says Deputy Matthew Keatts initiated a traffic stop at MM and Hwy 60 and when he reached inside to shut off the ignition of forty six year-old Tammy L. Robinette of Mountain Grove (AKA Tammy L. Campbell) he heard the click of a gun.  The officer then fired his service revolver, killing the woman.
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Sgt. Marty Elmore, of Troop G in Willow Springs, said an “acquaintance” of Robinette called 9-1-1 at 8:34 p.m. and reported Robinette was despondent and on her way to Joplin.
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The officer's car was equipped with a dash camera and authorities are reviewing the tape.

Keatts has been placed on paid administrative leave, which is standard in an officer involved shooting.

Testimony Begins Tomorrow In Comstock Wrongful Death Lawsuit:

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Rolland Comstock

Nearly four years after he was found murdered on the kitchen floor of his Greene County mansion family members of Rolland Comstock will face each other in court....on opposite sides of the aisle.

On July 3, 2007, Comstock's assistant, Becky Frakes, became concerned when she couldn't reach the former State Representative on his cell phone after getting a continual busy signal on the house phone so she headed out to his house in northern Greene County.
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To gain access to the mansion, which is surrounded by dense woods and a wrought iron fence, you had to know the code that opened the gates and get out and remove chains that secured the gate, to the property near McDaiel Lake
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When Frakes entered the house she found her friend and mentor dead from multiple gunshot wounds on the floor near the kitchen - his pet hybrid wolves were nearby howling in agony.

Investigators say it doesn't appear that burglary or theft were the motive in the book fanatics murder as no books were found to be missing after they searched Comstock's unique cataloguing system. There also appeared to be no signs of forced entry to the house.

A civil jury will begin to hear testimony tomorrow (06-28-11) in the wrongful death lawsuit that Rolland's adopted daughter, Faith Stocker, has brought against her mother Alberta Comstock for murder of the respected attorney and renowned book collector.
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Rolland and Alberta Comstock were divorced in 2005 after thirty eight years of marriage and were involved in a bitter dispute over a $215,000 settlement Rolland Comstock was to pay his former wife. An extended family member has said that Alberta Comstock was upset that her ex-husband's gay lover "was living her life and she was mad as hell."

Photo of Rolland Comstock's beloved home library

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In court documents filed eleven months after Comstock's death, search warrants revealed that detectives were interested in two family members in connection to the 70 year-old mans murder.....his ex-wife and son.
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Alberta and Michael Comstock told authorities that it had been several years since they had been inside the mansion. However, investigators say that DNA from a cigarette butt recovered at the crime scene belongs to, Michael "Andy" Comstock, the estranged son Rolland adopted early in his marriage to Alberta.

The return of the search warrant also reveals that confidential legal paperwork from Alberta's attorney pertaining to her divorce from Comstock, as well as a health directive that was drawn up after the couples divorce, were found inside a black satchel inside the mansion.

Court filings also reveal that Alberta Comstock, who tested positive for gun shot residue on her hands the day after Comstock's murder, bought a handgun near her home in Fairland, Oklahoma the day before her ex-husbands death.

Bullet casings recovered from the crime scene were sent to the crime lab to be analyzed to determine if they were fired from the recently purchased weapon.


A convenience store employee in Monett told detectives that Alberta Comstock she remembers seeing Alberta Comstock's truck parked there the night of Rolland Comstock's murder.
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About this time last year Greene County Sheriff Jim Arnott told the Ozarks Sentinel that this case was far from cold. "We have a full time investigator working on the case...were not ready to bring it to a close yet, but we are still working on it," he said at the time.

I have asked authorities and prosecutors if they are waiting to see how the civil case plays out before they make any arrests. Arnott said, "When we have the evidence for an arrest we'll make it."




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In May of 2009 Comstock House was sold for about $400,000 -- it failed to ganer a single bid at an auction in June of 2008.

The sweeping lawn leading to the home that Comstock so loved is now brown and not tended to, and the prominent concrete slab set in stone that let visitors know they were on the grounds of Comstock House is now just a memory, like that of Rolland Comstock.
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A grand jury convened last October at the request of former prosecutor Darell Moore looked at the Comstock case.  There were no inidictments issued at the conclusion of the grand jury in May of this year.
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There still have been no criminal charges filed against anyone in connection to Comstock's murder.

"One Of The Worst Of My Career," Sheriff Says Of Elderly Couple's Murder:

Who killed Donald "Don" and Helen Willingham

The elderly couple who was found murdered in their home in southwest Greene County yesterday (04-25-11) were stabbed to death, according to Sheriff Jim Arnott.

Ellen Willingham, who was 79 years-old, called 9-1-1 at 5:44 Monday morning and said an intruder was in her home at 2919 W. Swan and was assaulting her 79 year-old husband before she dropped the phone. 

In the call that lasted approximately 40 seconds, "There was a disturbance heard in the background before the line was disconnected, according to Arnott.  Authorities aren't releasing many more details about the call at this time.

First responders arrived at the home nine minutes after the 9-1-1 call and found the couple dead from multiple stab wounds to the chest.  Arnott would not comment on what room the couple were found, or if it was a knife from the home that was used to kill them.  He also would not say whether or not authorities had recovered the murder weapon.

Shortly after Helen Willingham's 9-1-1 call, emergency dispatcher's received another 9-1-1 call from a neighbor of the elderly couple who said they saw a clean shaven, thin white or Hispanic man with a dark complexion, wearing a hoodie running south from the elderly couple's home.  Arnott acknowledged that the description was vague, "but that's all we have to go on."

Investigators are hitting businesses with surveillance cameras around the area hoping to catch a lucky break.  They are also processing the crime scene, "slow and methodical," checking every door and window, according to Arnott.


Greene County Sheriff Jim Arnott

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Arnott says, "it was violent and random," even though there are no signs of forced entry into the Willingham's home.  "This is one of the worst cases of my career.  It's a rough deal, not only for the family but for everyone involved." Arnott said. 

“Why them? I don’t know, I don’t have an answer.”

The neighborhood has been targeted by vandals who hit unlocked vehicles and vehicles containing garage door openers, "This area is one of the ones that are prone to that," said Arnott.


Willingham's home is still surrounded by crime tape (Courtesy KOLR)

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The sheriff says someone knows something about the double homicide and is asking for help in solving the "brutal" crime.  "We know somebody knows what happened here," Arnott said.  "I need the public's help....I am very concerned about something like this.  We have lots of crimes where victims are targeted. I'm very concerned for everyone....on this case, I have no idea," he said.

Arnott believes the suspect, "may have defensive wounds on his body....there was a struggle."

Don Willingham was a part time pastor at Northside Baptist Church.  He and his wife, who were married in 1952,  had also been missionaries at one point in their lives, "This is a wonderful couple.  From visiting with family and neighbors, this is a couple who would do anything to help anyone.  His voice breaking, Arnott said, "They dedicated their life to the Lord."

If you have any information that could help investigators, please call the Greene County Sheriff's Office at 417-868-4040 - 9-1-1  or Crime Stoppers at 417-869-TIPS (8477). Callers may remain anonymous.

A reward is available for any tips leading to an arrest.

Minister, Wife Murdered In Home In Southwest Greene County:

An elderly Greene County couple were found murdered in their home this morning following a frantic 9-1-1 call from a woman at 2919 W. Swan saying an intruder was inside her home.

Sheriff Jim Arnott says Helen Willingham, 80, made that call at 5:44 a.m. and dropped the phone.  The call was not disconnected and investigators are reviewing the tape for clues.  Her husband Donald, 81, was the pastor at Northside Baptist Church and they were both former missionaries.

Initial reports to authorities was that it was a home invasion, however, they aren't ruling out that the couple may have known their killer.

Arnott says his office responds to property crimes in that area on a daily basis.

Investigators were seen searching a black PT Cruiser parked close to the couple's home.  That car has now been removed so investigators can process the car out of the rain.

Greene County Investigators Searched This Vehicle Near The Crime Scene (courtesy Springfield News Leader)

Detectives are interviewing one person in an effort to glean more information.

Arnott said neighbors saw a dark complected man in a hoodie running from the scene.

If you have information about this double homicide, you're asked to call the sheriff's office at (417) 868-4040 or 9-1-1.

Investigators Release Porter's Home, 210 Pieces Of Evidence Collected; Couple Still Missing:

Becky and Rusty Porter

Authorities in Greene County say the have recovered over 210 items of potential evidence from the property where a couple from Willard vanished.

Family members say they last talked with Becky and Rusty Porter, who were at their home at 6703 State Highway HH Sunday evening.  The couples car was found with the keys in the ignition while doors to the couples home were left open. Inside the house were Becky's purse, cell phones, medication, shoes, and relaitives say the house reeked of bleach.

The Porter's have not been seen or heard from since about 8:15 p.m. on Sunday April 17th when Becky Porter talked to her daughter and told her she was sick and in bed.

Russell "Rusty" and Rebecca "Becky" Porter

Rebecca Hufft Ellsworth and her former husband, Dave, led Galena Assembly of God before her marriage to Rusty Porter last year.  Darrell Hufft says his "baby" (she has 10 siblings) sister has always helped other people.  "She doesn't deserve this....she always took care of people.  She called us all the time - this isn't like her."

Hufft says Rusty Porter had surgery for a brain tumor last fall.  "He was really feeble.  He had trouble picking stuff up with his right hand."

Security cameras outside the home were knocked down, according to Hufft.

Hufft says the couple had the cameras because they lived in the country and Russell's uncle, R.C. who lives next door, "Has been giving 'em some problems. Him and his son were mad because Rusty's mom gave them the farmhouse and five acres of land."

Crime Scene Tape Surrounded The Home For 3 Days (courtesy Springfield News Leader)

Hufft says thousands of fliers have been distributed and a motorcycle group has taken fliers with them to distribute in the south.  "When we got people to Kansas there were already posters of Becky and Rusty up in businesses.  It's been a nightmare...you can't sleep or eat - you just worry."

Sheriff Jim Arnott says over 750 man hours have been logged in the investigation so far.  Investigators have used blood hounds from the Ozarks Correctional Center and the Highway Patrol's helicopter to search the Porter's property and property adjacent to it.

One of the leads investigators are following came from someone who thought they saw the couple at a casino in Oklahoma, according to Hufft.

Janis McCall, who heads One Missing Link, an organization that assists law enforcement and families who have missing loved ones, has assisted in making and handing out missing person fliers detailing information on the Porters'.

McCall's daughter Stacy went missing in June of 1992 along with classmate Suzie Streeter and Suzie's mother, Sherrill Levitt.

Arnott says detectives have followed over 70 leads, and due to the amount of inquiries, their will be no additional comment at this time. "We are focusing manpower on processing leads and evidence."

Anyone with information on the Porter's disappearance is asked to call the Greene County Sheriff at 417-868-4040 - 9-1-1 or your local law enforcement agency.

UPDATE 04-23-11:

The uncle of Rusty Porter, who he allegedly had an ongoing feud with, consented to let investigators search his mobile home.  No word on what, if any, evidence was collected from R.C.'s home.

Family members of Becky and Rusty Porter will hold a vigil at Galloway Full Gospel Church on Farm Road 146 just off of West Bypass at 5 p.m. on Easter Sunday.

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COMPLETE NEWS RELEASE 04-22-11:

Press Release
In reference to Russell and Rebecca Porter;
missing persons investigation



Detectives with the Greene County Sheriff’s Office have processed the scene recovering over 210 items of potential evidence at the Porter’s residence, 6703 N. State Hwy HH in Willard. The Sheriff’s Office has utilized the assistance of the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s helicopter along with blood hounds from the Ozarks Correctional Center to conduct a search of the property and the adjoining area. The Sheriff’s Office has followed up on over 70 leads and input more than 750 man hours and is continuing to conduct interviews and follow up on any information received. The Sheriff’s Office is requesting the continued exposure of the photos of Russell and Rebecca Porter. The media has assisted by putting the photos out to the public which has helped us in generating leads.
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The residence/possible crime scene was secured for 3 days while detectives recovered potential evidence, however, that scene has now been released.
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Anyone with information is asked to call the Greene County Sheriff at 417-868-4040 or your local law enforcement agency. Due to the amount of inquiries, we will not be available for additional comment at this time. We are focusing manpower on processing leads and evidence. Sheriff Arnott will be contacting the media to give updates as this investigation progresses. Thank you for helping us disseminate our information.

Springfield City Councilman Files Federal Lawsuit Against School District, Sheriff:

Springfield City Councilman Doug Burlison

A lawsuit was filed today (09-27-10) in U. S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri by Springfield City Councilman Doug Burlison against Springfield Public Schools and the Greene County Sheriff's Department. 

Burlison alleges that students rights were violated during a lock down April 22 at Central High School.

In court papers, Burlison, his wife Mellony, his stepson and stepdaughter, who are both students at Central High School, allege that students were ordered out of their third period classrooms and told to leave all their belongings behind.

Court documents say that while the kids were out of the classrooms, cops and drug dogs rifled through their belongings.

Named in the lawsuit are Springfield Public Schools, Superintendent Dr. Norm Ridder, Central High School Principal Ron Snodgrass and Greene County Sheriff James Arnott.

The Turner Report offers a glimpse at those documents:

On or about Thursday April 22, 2010, C.M., (Burlison's stepson) then a freshman at Central High School, was in his third period classroom when an announcement was made over the school’s public address system by Defendant Snodgrass.

Defendant Snodgrass (principal) announced that the school was going into “lockdown” and that students may not leave their classrooms.

About fifteen minutes after Defendant Snodgrass’s announcement, deputies of the Greene County Sheriff’s Office, with their dogs, entered C.M.’s classroom. The deputies ordered students and teachers to leave the room. Students were told not to take any possessions or effects, such as backpacks, notebooks and purses, with them but to leave them in the classroom.

After approximately ten minutes, the law enforcement officers left the classroom and C.M. and his classmates returned to the room.


The condition of the effects C.M. observed when he reentered the classroom made it clear to him that the students’ effects had been searched by the law enforcement officials. Backpacks and other student belongings had been moved around, zippers had been unzipped and saliva on the effects indicated that the dogs had come in contact with the students’ belongings and effects.


In particular, C.M. observed that although all the zippers on his backpack were shut when he left the room, when he returned the zippers on his backpack were open and items within the backpack had been moved. At least three other students in his third period class also pointed out that their effects, i.e., purses and backpacks, had been moved and the students observed signs indicating that police had rummaged through their belongings.

Burlison's stepdaughter, who arrived during the search, was not allowed to enter the building until fourth hour, according to the lawsuit.

Burlison's lawsuit comes after he addressed his concerns at a school board meeting where board members did not respond.  His lawsuit says school officials and the sheriff violated students Fourth Amendment right against illegal search and seizure, and Missouri state statutes (this case will probably come down to whether the search was justified.)

Ridder has said that the search was/is standard procedure at Central and other SPS schools.

Springfield attorney Jason Umbarger is representing the Burlisons.