Cassville Man Charged In Girlfriend's Murder:

Jimmy Joe Nelson has been charged with murder

A man from Cassville has been charged with second-degree murder and armed criminal action for the death of his girlfriend last week.

Prosecutor Johnnie Cox says Jimmy Joe Nelson, 40, slit 43 year-old Vicki Leigh Clark's neck and she bled to death during a fight last week (08-17-11) at the couples apartment in Cassville.

Barry County Prosecutor Johnnie Cox

According to the probable cause statement, Nelson called Clark's boss and told them Clark killed herself about 2 a.m. - Clark's boss then notified authorities about 11:00 a.m.  Investigators say Clark had defensive wounds on her hands and arm. A folding knife was found  lying on Clark's neck when she was found.

Neighbors say the couple fought on a regular basis and Nelson would lock Clark out of the apartment....sometimes when it was freezing outside.

Nelson was arrested last night at a residence in Barry County without incident and is being held in the Barry County Jail on a $250,000 bond.

Suspicious Death Investigation Underway In Cassville:

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Police in Cassville are investigating a suspicious death, according to police chief Dana Kammerlohr.

Kammerlohr says officers found 43 year-old Vicki Leigh Clark, of Cassville, deceased at a residence within the city limits yesterday (08-17-11.)
 
The crime scene was processed and evidence has been sent to the state crime lab for testing.

Southwest Missouri Forensics will conduct an autopsy on Clark tomorrow morning in Springfield.

Chief Kammerlohr say investigators have identified a person of interest and the public is not at risk.
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J.J.N. was released from the Barry County jail after a 24 hour hold pending the filing of formal charges.