CAMDEN — Capital murder for man
in grandparents’ deaths
POCAHONTAS - A prosecutor said Tuesday he will seek the death penalty against a 25-year-old Arkansan charged in the deaths of his grandparents earlier this month, according to Arkansas Online.
Nicholaus David Patterson is accused of killing Ricky and Rita Bozwell, both 66, on July 10 in their Pocahontas home.
The Bozwells were reported missing July 13 and found a day later in an advanced state of decomposition at their home in the 400 block of Sue Lane, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette previously reported.
Authorities questioned Patterson on July 17, and he confessed to the killings, according to a news release from the office of Henry Boyce, the prosecuting attorney for the state’s Third Judicial District. Patterson was charged with two counts of capital murder Tuesday in Randolph County Circuit Court, the release states. His attorney, Chris Nebben of Little Rock, entered a plea of not guilty on his behalf.
Rapper Cardi B cancels concert at music festival
EL DORADO - Days after pulling out of Bruno Mars’ fall tour, rapper Cardi B has canceled her scheduled performance at El Dorado’s MusicFest, Arkansas Online reports.
The musician, who cited the recent birth of her daughter, was set to be a headliner in the festival’s 31st year, according to a statement from the Murphy Arts District.
Organizers said they are working to fill Cardi B’s late-night Oct. 19 slot “to complement our other terrific performers.”
Other musicians set to perform at MusicFest include Toby Keith, Gucci Mane, Sammy Hagar, George Clinton, Justin Moore and Bret Michaels.
The El Dorado News-Times reported that pit tickets for Cardi B’s scheduled performance at MusicFest sold out within five minutes of going on sale. Her headliner spot also generated national interest from Rolling Stone and People magazines.
In a tweet Thursday, Cardi B said she was bowing out of Mars’ tour after “[underestimating] this whole mommy thing.” She gave birth to her daughter six weeks ago.
“Not only am I just not ready physically, I’m not ready to leave my baby behind since the doctors explained it’s not healthy for her to be on the road,” the rapper wrote.
For Cardi B concert refunds, ticket holders may contact the box office at (870) 444-3007. Existing tickets may also be used for the replacement performer.
Police name gunman who
killed state’s police dog
ARKANSAS - A 35-year-old Missouri man who killed a state police dog died hours after being shot by officers in a gunfight, authorities said Tuesday.
According to a news release from Arkansas State Police, James Edward Blackmon of St. Louis was stopped by troopers shortly before 7 p.m. Monday on Interstate 55 in Mississippi County after his vehicle was identified as one that was sought by Missouri authorities.
When Blackmon ran, two troopers and a Mississippi County sheriff’s deputy chased him, the release states. Arkansas State Police spokeswoman Liz Chapman said the chase happened near Luxora. Eventually, a trooper released a police dog, who caught up with the Missouri man, authorities said.
Blackmon fired at the dog, Hemi, killing it, according to the agency.
He then began shooting at the troopers and deputies, who returned fire, the release states.
He was caught at 7:11 p.m. and taken to a nearby hospital, where he died Tuesday morning, police said. His body will be taken to the state Crime Lab.
Hemi, a 6-year-old Dutch shepherd, had been with state police since 2013, Chapman said.
On Twitter, the agency shared a picture of the dog and wrote: “Rest easy hero, we will miss you!”
Two troopers have been placed on paid leave, Arkansas State Police said. Chapman said it is policy for troopers at the scene of an officer-involved shooting to be placed on leave.