Man charged with capital murder in Benton County following arrest in Salem

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A man arrested in Fulton County in connection with a homicide investigation in Benton County has formally been charged. According to the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 53-year-old Don Yates faces charges of capital murder, aggravated robbery and theft of property. He is being held in the Benton County Jail without bond.

The body of 58-year-old Patrick Quinley was located September 25th in his residence by Rogers police officers after a co-worker reported he hadn’t been at work for four days. The Arkansas State Crime Lab in Little Rock determined Quinley’s death was caused by blunt force trauma to his head.

Authorities were unable to locate Quinley’s credit cards and cellphone, and his pickup truck was missing. Quinley had filed a report earlier in the month claiming Yates had taken his truck. He retrieved his vehicle and an iPhone following Yates’ arrest in Colorado. The probable cause affidavit states Quinley had recently been in a relationship with Yates.

Yates’ brother Ralph informed authorities Don had arrived at his home in Salem September 21st driving a rental truck. The brothers drove to an area nearly 1 1/2 hours from Mountain Home. Ralph Yates said later, it was somewhere in Mountain Home, and they dropped off the rental truck in Jonesboro.

Ralph Yates told police Don kept asking to check the news in a town starting with the letter “R,” and he claims his brother said at one point, “They found the body.” Quinley’s pickup truck was reportedly located behind Ralph Yates’ Salem residence, his iPhone was found in a backpack, and his wallet was located in a storage tub in the residence. In addition, a white t-shirt with suspected blood stains was found in a trash can.

Don Yates’ arraignment is scheduled for Monday in Benton County Circuit Court. No announcement has been made on whether prosecutors will seek the death penalty.

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