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. 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. The appellant next requested that he be permitted to employ his own court reporter. The City-Data.com crime index weighs serious crimes and violent crimes more heavily. The appellant was, of course, convicted of a lesser charge, murder in the first degree. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ", "The Porter Rodgers murder case was one of the first stories I covered when I came to Arkansas as a television reporter. 1770, 20 L.Ed.2d 776 (1968). And the appellant was free to, and in fact did, present contradictory evidence and rebuttal witnesses on the questions of his sanity and mental capacity. All prospects of a truce Approximately two weeks later Mrs. Rodgers' husband, Porter R. Rodgers, Sr., the appellant herein, was charged in her death with capital felony murder. Please take the time to watch this video and if you have any information, please contact us. Hunter Dean Bishop, 28, of Searcy, who was charged with her murder, was found guilty by a jury Friday in White County Circuit Court. Both bodies have been sent to the state crime lab. At about 4:12 pm, Marty was found dead in his home. Ark.Stat.Ann. A lifelong writer, Deana has been working as a freelance magazine and newspaper writer for 28 years. The request comes more than a month after police were called out to multiple shootings that occurred within 30 minutes of each other. 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. Appellant's only argument is that the conduct of the police in obtaining the confession, considered in light of all the other circumstances, was such as to compel exclusion of the confession for the stated reasons. STATE of Arkansas, Appellee. .orange-text-color {color: #FE971E;} Explore your book, then jump right back to where you left off with Page Flip. 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Additionally, all information can be given anonymously. After officers entered the home they found Stevens dead. There was no electronic recordation of the conversation at the Kings Inn or the interview at the prosecuting attorney's office. Since no one was in the office, Lester requested that another policeman, Doug Stevens, be present during the interview with the appellant. It was higher than in 94.3% U.S. cities. The appellant asked what he could do to obtain this information. The appellant's condition was not different than that which would be expected in a person of his age. 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. When her daughter returned home around 10:00 p.m., Ruby was not there. Rather, it is argued that the information it would have revealed would have been useful in cross-examining Lester. Reflects 2021 calendar year; released from FBI in Oct. 2022 (latest available). Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. A police investigation revealed the 70-year-old doctor had been enjoying the company of Peggy Hale, his 21-year-old receptionist. In the first place, a thorough review of the record convinces us that there was evidence from which the jury could have concluded that the appellant was guilty of capital felony murder. Jump to a detailed profile, search site with google or try advanced search. Growing up, she was religious and attended Harding University in the same city. SEARCY, Ark. The appellant's version of the interview contains the following facts which are at odds with the police version. Reviewed in the United States on December 1, 2022. 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. Hall was sentenced to death by electrocution in May Police are not telling us much about the investigation. This was done. In Searcy, your chance of becoming a victim of a property crime is one in 24, which is a rate of 42 per one thousand population. 244, 21 L.Ed.2d 203. 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. When officers arrived at the scene, they said they found 36-year-old Frank Vincent Ollis, V Jr. and 23-year Here, the appellant in fact did have an opportunity to question those who examined him. After viewing product detail pages, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in. Updated annually. The chief said the majority of the crime in Searcy is petty theft. Mike S. Allen, a native of Searcy, Arkansas, is a graduate of Harding University and Troy State University with degrees in print journalism and international relations. Learn more. At about 3:10 P.M. the appellant executed a written waiver of his Miranda rights. 18,000 local law enforcement agencies in the U.S. Lester stated that he would be glad to talk to the appellant and they agreed to meet at noon that day in Room 124 of the Kings Inn Motel. Therefore, the trial court's ruling on the admissibility of the photographs was not an abuse of its discretion. Try again. He is the author of Growing Up Church of Christ and the co-author of A Murder in Searcy, both bestsellers (by category) on Amazon. 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. Enjoy a great reading experience when you buy the Kindle edition of this book. Furthermore, it was, in fact, used by him in his cross-examination of Lester. When officers went inside the home, they found Madison dead. SEARCY, Ark. The trial court permitted the appellant to cross-examine Lester in detail about the facts surrounding his discipline. Use at your own risk. Thereafter, his freedom was not restricted in any manner and the police did not seek to again interview him for several hours. We have reviewed other objections made in the trial court and find none which merit reversal or further discussion. Reviewed in the United States on December 29, 2022, Reviewed in the United States on March 24, 2022. Reviewed in the United States on October 23, 2021. We will update this article with more information as it becomes available. I have met with his sister, brother and mother who all have questions that need to be answered. The trial court examined Lester's personnel file in camera and determined that nothing therein was material to the Rodgers' case. On October 8, 1963, a Tuesday, Rubys son, Glen, had a broken washing machine. Nearly 50 years on, it remains one of the sexiest and most riveting trials ever, and this book takes the reader back in time. The appellant next contends that the trial court erred in denying him the right to have a daily copy of the trial proceedings. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. 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. Both the deceased and the appellant were very prominent, longtime residents of White County. Mrs. Varnell was later removed from the scene by the White County Coroners Office and sent to the Arkansas State Crime Lab for a forensic autopsy.. Dr. Rodgers was a seventy year old physician actively engaged in a profitable medical practice in Searcy. In any event, we do not accept as valid the proposition that a jury qualified to return a death penalty is necessarily prejudiced on the question of guilt or innocence. A forensic examination determined that he died as a result of blunt force trauma and the death was ruled a homicide. Further, we stated that this Court on appeal would review the totality of the circumstances surrounding the confession to determine whether the trial court's decision on admissibility was clearly against the preponderance of the evidence. The interview was concluded at about 4:49 P.M., whereupon Lester immediately placed the appellant under arrest for the murder of Fern Rodgers. This is compared to communities of all sizes, from the smallest to the largest. Nail v. State, supra. SEARCY, Ark.- Searcy police say they are investigating a homicide after officers found a man dead Monday night. Full content visible, double tap to read brief content. Your recently viewed items and featured recommendations. The appellant was sent to the Arkansas State Hospital for a mental examination and the results of that examination ultimately were introduced into evidence. I have 12 more names that I am requesting to have DNA comparisons on. Finally, all other evidence tending to support one of the above conflicting versions over the other is on the side of Officer Lester. This conversation between the appellant and the officers was electronically recorded. This second interview with the appellant was also recorded. 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However, Dr. Taub left his employment with the State in November of 1974 and went to work for the federal government. Since 2010, I have been working this case. 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. Instead it is alleged that the confession was not the product of a conscious mind and was, therefore, involuntary. However, we would point out that Dr. Rodgers' version does not, in fact, place the confession within the framework of the classic coerced confession cases. 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. She was found dead inside the home. WebMicah Denise Rine was born and raised in Searcy, Arkansas. Something went wrong. Each cold case represents a valuable life. Varnell is also accused of stabbing his father. 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. 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." Under these circumstances we hold that Dr. Rodgers' rights received more than adequate protection at the hands of the police. The test should always be whether any necessarily inflammatory tendency of a photograph is outweighed by its probative value. Lester summoned Officer Doug Stevens to be present during the interview. 204, 451 S.W.2d 219 (1970). 8,376,755. Lester first phoned the appellant at about 10:00 A.M. stating that he wanted to talk to the appellant. On August 6, 1994 at about 3:30 am, Kisa and the children left the residence without Marty to go to Louisiana. in professional writing from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. 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. It was noted that it was most likely a male but a female has not been ruled out. As stated above, we believe that the preponderance of all of the evidence supports Policeman Lester's version of that third interview. White County Sheriffs Dept 1600 E Booth Suite 100Searcy, AR 72143. 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. Stevens was present during the entire interview. In The appellant entered pleas of not guilty and not guilty by reason of insanity. 7,043,501 and 7,680,859. The appellant had organic brain syndrome which reduced his mental capacity, particularly when he was fatigued or under stress. The easy writing style and thorough details really brought this story to life. 43-1301. We find that each of the instructions so refused was either repetitious, argumentative, or contained an incorrect statement of the law. Officers with the Searcy Police Department responded to South Oak Street for a welfare check on Van Stevens, 74 of Searcy. Searcy police say they are investigating the incident as a homicide. The next police interview with the appellant occurred during the early morning hours of November 9. Police arrested Christopher Coy Gamble, 32 in connection to the homicide. Ketia Daniel, founder of BHM Cleaning Co., is BestReviews cleaning expert. The appellant and Lester were alone in Room 124 most of the time. Violent Crimes - Murder Rape Robbery Assault. Loved ones described the 26-year-old The perpetrator forcibly entered the back door of the residence and brutally beat Mrs. Murdaugh. Her body has been sent to the state crime lab to determine what happened @KARK4News @FOX16News pic.twitter.com/XmkxSeucxf. 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. A hearing was held on that motion at which Dr. Taub testified. We have reviewed each instruction individually, as well as reviewing the instructions on each issue collectively. The confession was the product of the last such interview. City-data.com does not guarantee the accuracy or timeliness of any information on this site. He was estranged from his wife and had lived in a local hotel for the five or six months preceding his wife's death. The 2019 Searcy NeighborhoodScout has done just that. Rather, the appellant simply denies any recollection of making the statement. ", - Mel Hanks, former television news journalist, - Chris Raff, Prosecuting Attorney, Arkansas 17th Judicial District (1983-2014), - Judge Mary McCall Cash, witness for the prosecution in the trials, ASIN This was believed to be a trip he was going to make to Louisiana to spend time with Kisa and their children. I wonder what Peggy and Berry are up to these days A true crime presentation of murder in a small town, Reviewed in the United States on February 27, 2022. Gen., by Gary Isbell, Asst. , X-Ray The expert psychological and psychiatric evidence is in the same category. Brief content visible, double tap to read full content. Lester did this and the appellant then signed the statement. Ketia Daniel, founder of BHM Cleaning Co., is BestReviews cleaning expert. Police need your help bringing the family justice. , Word Wise Call it Arkansas noir. , File size In fact, your chance of getting your car stolen if you live in Searcy is one in 246. 43-1301 provides that: The report which was admitted into evidence conformed to the requirement of the statute. Searcy, AR, 1979 - 2023. These promotions will be applied to this item: Some promotions may be combined; others are not eligible to be combined with other offers. We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices. These ebooks can only be redeemed by recipients in the US. 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club thats right for you for free. We sent the body off to the crime lab, said DeWitt. 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, Gov. SEARCY, 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. Compare Searcy crime data to 142, 412 S.W.2d 279 (1967). He was lying on a bed in his bedroom with blood on his face from an apparent gunshot wound from a .38 caliber bullet. To learn more about ChatGPT and how we can inspire students, we sat down with BestReviews book expert, Ciera Pasturel. Sorry, there was a problem loading this page. Officials say after entry was made into the home, Stevens was found dead. Hence, the issue now before the Court is whether this was newly discovered evidence which would entitle the defendant to a new trial. With a population of 23,098, Searcy has a combined rate of violent and property crime that is very high compared to other places of similar population size. 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.