1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. That is, the appellant was intellectually superior to the average seventy year old person. The appellant's counsel took advantage of neither alternative. Perry v. State, 255 Ark. ", "The Porter Rodgers murder case was one of the first stories I covered when I came to Arkansas as a television reporter. We spent the afternoon reaching out to family, friends, and the victims job. I had never before heard of the Porter murder case and found myself intrigued from the start of this book. Hunter Dean Bishop, 28, of Searcy, who was charged with her murder, was found guilty by a jury Friday in White County Circuit Court. 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In substance, there was evidence to the effect that it was intended that Kimbrell rob Mrs. Rodgers in addition to killing her. This morning they went to a home on Horton St to check on Madison Clevenger. Very good look at a historical crime without the dreariness of the over-explanation of the appearance of the town and its people that drag down so many of these books. The appellant was asked by the police if he would agree to come to the prosecuting attorney's office for the purpose of discussing some new developments in the case. During the course of the police investigation of this crime the appellant was interviewed some five or six times. 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. Unbelievable what happens right under your nose in a sleepy college town. : Treat v. State, 253 Ark. We need not here delineate the bounds of any right a criminal defendant might have to obtain a daily copy of the transcript of the proceedings. Victim: Identified as Robert Simmons in May 2014. This conversation between the appellant and the officers was electronically recorded. Use at your own risk. The confession was given freely and voluntarily. Lester telephoned again about 11:00 A.M. and told the appellant to meet him at the appellant's room in Noble's Motel. Both the deceased and the appellant were very prominent, longtime residents of White County. Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web. I attended college in Searcy beginning in the fall of 1978 and there was still a great deal of talk about the murder of Fern Rogers. WebJames Waybern Hall: The murderer known as "Big Jim" killed 4 people, including his wife, in Arkansas between 1944 and 1945. December 28, 1997. Therefore, the trial court did not err in admitting the appellant's confession into evidence. Micah Pate was a young nurse in Bartlett who was killed by her husband in 2009. (Supp. In Izard County, a billboard advertising a reward in the murder case of Rebekah Gould was installed near Melbourne. He was estranged from his wife and had lived in a local hotel for the five or six months preceding his wife's death. We sent the body off to the crime lab, said DeWitt. The record herein is clear that the appellant's counsel was already aware of the facts surrounding Policeman Lester's discipline by his employer. We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices. Sorry, there was a problem loading this page. Height 5'11" Weight 170 pounds Eyes Blue Hair Brown. 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. of 105 to 110. Lester then asked the appellant to tell him what had happened from the beginning, whereupon the appellant related the circumstances of his wife's murder. WebA true-crime book focuses on the murder of a small-town physicians wife. These promotions will be applied to this item: Some promotions may be combined; others are not eligible to be combined with other offers. Click the citation to see the full text of the cited case. 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. Lester was not drinking and the mood of the conversation was always cordial. 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 last seen alive on Tuesday, June 8, 2004 in Jacksonville with an alleged drug trafficker. Compare Searcy crime data to HOLT and HICKMAN, JJ., not participating. Raw data sources: Police in Searcy are investigating a murder/suicide that occurred on N. Ella St. Wednesday afternoon. 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. On Thursday June 24, 2004, human remains were found off of Rio Vista Road in White County and were later identified as Jesus Silvia. Mrs. Murdaugh was found by her daughter lying in the doorway of the kitchen and dining room, with multiple wounds to the head. 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. The 68-year-old socialite was murdered, 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 A man has been arrested in connection to a homicide that happened on August 17. We find that each of the instructions so refused was either repetitious, argumentative, or contained an incorrect statement of the law. That was the motel where the State Police personnel were staying while in Searcy and Room 124 was the room occupied by Lester. One's chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime here is one in 21. Porter R. RODGERS, Sr., Appellant, The three men engaged in idle conversation for a few minutes before the appellant stated, "Let's get on with the business." At about 4:12 pm, Marty was found dead in his home. The search engine finds the neighborhoods that are the optimum fit to the set of criteria you choose. Hall was sentenced to death by electrocution in May These facts, which are either admitted or uncontradicted, include the following. Listed below are the cases that are cited in this Featured Case. The appellant's condition was not different than that which would be expected in a person of his age. 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 367, 486 S.W.2d 16; Williams v. State, 252 Ark. The St. Francis County EMSA posted a photo on their Facebook page saying Madison worked as an EMT. : No question is raised in this appeal relative to the procedures followed by the trial court in determining the admissibility of the confession. The court reporter stated that it would be impossible to comply with such a request and the trial court rightfully refused it. Higher means more crime, U.S. average is 270.6. Dr. Rodgers was then confronted with statements of Hale and Kimbrell, which had been recorded electronically and transcribed. Likewise, Dr. James M. Sims testified that the appellant's waiver, ".. Would have been the product of confusion. (The US average is 22.7) Searcy property crime is 72.6. Approximately two weeks later Mrs. Rodgers' husband, Porter R. Rodgers, Sr., the appellant herein, was charged in her death with capital felony murder. The NeighborhoodScout search engine is covered under US Patents No. Property crimes that are tracked for this analysis are burglary, larceny over fifty dollars, motor vehicle theft, and arson. Violent offenses tracked included rape, murder and non-negligent manslaughter, armed robbery, and aggravated assault, including assault with a deadly weapon. Copyright 2000-2023 Location Inc. We hold that is not the rule in a non-custodial interrogation. In other words, this confession is not alleged to have been made because of fear of police mistreatment. On May 21, at 4:30 p.m., The Searcy Police Department served 26-year-old Hunter D. Bishop a warrant for Capital Murder Class Y Felony in connection to the murder of 23-year-old Madison Clevenger. 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. As stated above, we believe that the preponderance of all of the evidence supports Policeman Lester's version of that third interview. Now its being investigated as a homicide. At its conclusion the statement was given to the appellant, who appeared to read it in its entirety. Regardless of whether Searcy does well or poorly compared to all other cities and towns in the US of all sizes, compared to places with a similar population, it fares badly. However, the most that can be said for the defense evidence on this point is that Dr. Rodgers was "confused". Stevens was present during the entire interview. It gave five instructions related to insanity and reduced mental capacity. Over time, I gathered the hazy idea that a doctors wife had been murdered during a robbery and/or maybe that the doctor had killed her. Police in Searcy are investigating a murder/suicide that occurred on N. Ella St Wednesday afternoon. If anyone has additional information, you are asked to call Search Police. A well written, straight forward presentation which had me eager to learn the outcome! Hence, the issue now before the Court is whether this was newly discovered evidence which would entitle the defendant to a new trial. This statute would not have required that appellant's attorney be permitted to inspect Lester's personnel file. 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. Ketia Daniel, founder of BHM Cleaning Co., is BestReviews cleaning expert. 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". SEARCY, Ark. But, in the exercise of discretion, the necessity for a defendant's searching confidential matter must be weighed against the public policy of confidentiality or secrecy. If anyone has any information on this case you are asked to call Searcy Police. However, three other policemen and a motel waitress were in and out of the room during the afternoon for periods of a few minutes each. The appellant also knew that by requesting counsel he could terminate the questioning. Please try again. Reviewed in the United States on August 15, 2021. When her daughter returned home around 10:00 p.m., Ruby was not there. For the reasons stated above, the judgment of the lower court should be, and the same hereby is, affirmed. Here, the appellant in fact did have an opportunity to question those who examined him. Dr. Taub did not administer a complete battery of tests. The entire interview lasted approximately one hour. Police said that based on the evidence they have; it is believed that Ollis Jr. murdered his wife and then committed Shortly thereafter, the appellant appeared at the White County Courthouse and sought to arrange a bond for her release. On Sept 14, 2011, White County Sheriff's Deputies responded to Kimberly Steele's residence at 123 Town & Country Lane for a structure fire. 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. The trial court gave four instructions related to the jury's consideration of the appellant's confession. On the morning of September 26, 1974, the body of Fern Cowen Rodgers was discovered on the floor of her home in Searcy, Arkansas. The appellant's testimony contained allegations of police misconduct which at first glance seem to raise questions related to a coerced confession. Click on the case name to see the full text of the citing case. WebDeputies identified the victim as Tim Blackburn, 59, who was transported to a local hospital and later died. Importantly, we found that Searcy has one of the highest rates of motor vehicle theft in the nation according to our analysis of FBI crime data. Our nationwide meta-analysis overcomes the issues inherent in any crime database, including non-reporting and reporting errors. Nail v. State, supra. The State's evidence was to the effect that the defendant was legally sane and that he was competent to understand and intelligently waive his rights. A man has been arrested in connection to a homicide that happened on August 17. Alarmed, Mary Claire called the police. The appellant had agreed to admit and/or stipulate all relevant facts shown by those photographs. Police say that based on evidence they have that Frank murdered his wife before committing suicide. Cf. One of these, the motel waitress, was a disinterested witness. Lester expressly denies this and claims that the appellant's confession was completely voluntary. According to police, officers were called to the 300 block of N. I didnt necessarily connect it to the big fancy house. The ratio of all residents to sex offenders in Searcy is 345 to 1. Region 8 News will have more details as they become available. In any event, on this little favored ground for new trial, the trial judge had a considerable latitude of discretion. Therefore, Dr. Kozberg removed the report of Dr. Taub and directed Dr. John G. Althoff, a staff psychologist, to perform a complete battery of tests on the defendant. The transcript of the interview reveals that one of the police officers told the appellant that he had, indeed, better spend some of his money on a good lawyer. Web On May 21, at 4:30 p.m., The Searcy Police Department served 26-year-old Hunter D. Bishop a warrant for Capital Murder Class Y Felony in connection to the murder of 23 I have 12 more names that I am requesting to have DNA comparisons on. "Match Any Neighborhood" calculates the Match Level of one neighborhood to another using more than 200 characteristics of each neighborhood. SEARCY, Arkansas A suspect has been taken into custody after a Black man was found dead at an apartment in Searcy Wednesday morning. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. See Turner v. State, 258 Ark. This is compared to communities of all sizes, from the smallest to the largest. Dr. Kozberg felt that a complete battery of tests should be done. There was no electronic recordation of the conversation at the Kings Inn or the interview at the prosecuting attorney's office. : Now let us turn to take a look at how Searcy does for violent crimes specifically, and then how it does for property crimes. At 3:21 A.M. the appellant signed a written waiver of these rights. Appellant was immediately informed by the police that he was a suspect in the murder of his wife. Deputies also found Pamela G. Varnell, 65, inside the home deceased due to injuries also consistent with stab wounds. 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. It was noted that it was most likely a male but a female has not been ruled out. It happened this morning at a home on Horton Street. To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we dont use a simple average. In fact, your chance of getting your car stolen if you live in Searcy is one in 246. Arnold v. State, 179 Ark. Officers were called to check on 23-year-old Madison Clevenger because she was not showing up for work and answering her phone. Lester phoned again a third time at about 11:45 A.M., and, according to the appellant, said, "We'll meet at the motel." : The admissibility of photographs is a matter within the discretion of the trial court. Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required. 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Separately, it is always interesting and important to compare a city's crime rate with those of similarly sized communities - a fair comparison as larger cities tend to have more crime. 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. See, U.S. v. Nixon, 418 U.S. 683, 94 S.Ct. EVENTS. The City-Data.com crime index weighs serious crimes and violent crimes more heavily. Furthermore, it was, in fact, used by him in his cross-examination of Lester. Please try again. Help others learn more about this product by uploading a video! He was later arrested at a house on Highway 258, outside Bald Knob. .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. WebOn the morning of September 26, 1974, the body of Fern Cowen Rodgers was discovered on the floor of her home in Searcy, Arkansas. Sanders declares state of emergency after storms, Embattled UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson resigns, Zelensky: There will be two Victory Days in Ukraine. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness. Those four people were Larry Don Madden, Antonio Taylor, Jarrod Green, and Matthew Pentagrast. Reviewed in the United States on December 29, 2022, Reviewed in the United States on March 24, 2022. Certainly many elements present in a custodial interrogation and confession are absent when the confession is the product of a voluntary interview with the police. Police are not telling us much about the investigation. 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. Rather, the appellant simply denies any recollection of making the statement. Robert Simmons was a resident in Augusta where his family still resdies. WebOn the morning of September 26, 1974, the body of Fern Cowen Rodgers was discovered on the floor of her home in Searcy, Arkansas. The photographs in question were color shots of the deceased's remains as discovered at the crime scene. To me Porter Rodgers hospital was a creepy, dilapidated old building that looked like something from the set of a horror movie and indeed was used as a haunted house for at least one Halloween that I can remember. Crime, My Chances of Becoming a Victim of a A police investigation revealed the 70-year-old doctor had been enjoying the company of Peggy Hale, his 21-year-old receptionist. However, the photographs were material, relevant and accurate. Anonymous tips on any of these cold cases can be left with dispatch at 501-279-6279. Searcy, AR, 1979 - 2023. Ketia Daniel, founder of BHM Cleaning Co., is BestReviews cleaning expert. It is argued that the appellant's willingness to stipulate, coupled with the fact that the photographs were by their nature inflammatory, rendered these exhibits inadmissible. Her remains were found near Russell, Ar. Does this item contain inappropriate content? 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. The fire was called in by a neighbor and it was determined by firefighters to have been set in multiple places. (The US average is 35.4) NOTE: Click on the links below to see charts for each crime category. Dr. Douglas Stevens, a clinical psychologist, testified for the appellant by stipulation that the appellant's waiver of rights signed at 3:10 P.M. on November 9, " Would have been the product of confusion, it would not have been the product of intelligence and understanding." The appellant's version of the interview contains the following facts which are at odds with the police version. , Enhanced typesetting Ketia Daniel, founder of BHM Cleaning Co., is BestReviews cleaning expert. Peggy Hale was arrested in connection with Mrs. Rodgers' murder at about noon on November 8. These ebooks can only be redeemed by recipients in the US. Where is 2022 data? , File size When officers arrived at the scene, they said they found 36-year-old Frank Vincent Ollis, V Jr. and 23-year-old Jesayia Sage Ollis dead inside the home. After viewing product detail pages, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in. The appellant was tried alone for his alleged part in this conspiracy. However, Dr. Rodgers did, according to Lester, state that he had several things on his mind that he wanted to talk to Lester about, but that the appellant did not feel like talking then.