Grayham pleads guilty to reduced charges, sentenced to 25 years
Nine months after being arrested in the double homicide of a Midway couple, Zach Grayham has admitted his role in the crime. During Thursday’s session of Baxter County Circuit Court, the Mountain Home resident pled guilty to a reduced charge of second-degree murder and aggravated residential burglary and was sentenced to 25 years in the Arkansas Department of Corrections.
Grayham was dressed in a black and white striped jail uniform. Judge John Putman asked him twice if he had anything to say on his behalf. Grayham answered “no” both times.
Grayham was originally charged in early November along with Gassville residents Nicholas Roos and Mikayla Mynk with capital murder, arson, aggravated robbery and other charges. The three were accused of killing 75-year-old Donald Rice and 71-year-old LaDonna Rice, setting their residence and vehicles on fire and stealing items from the residence.
Mynk entered guilty pleas in August to reduced charges including aggravated residential burglary and theft by receiving and was sentenced to 20 years in the Arkansas Department of Correction to be followed by 15 years probation. Roos pled guilty to capital murder and arson in May and was sentenced to life in prison without parole, but he is currently seeking post-conviction relief under Rule 37 of the Arkansas Rules of Criminal Procedure.
After the hearing, an affidavit, which had been sealed throughout the hearings of Roos, Mynk and Grayham, was unsealed detailing the crime.
According to the affidavit, a tip was received that Friday, November 6, 2015, Roos and a friend were seen at a local store getting gas for a vehicle. Roos purchased groceries, and Roos’ friend purchased a 9 mm handgun. The friend drove Roos to his residence and allowed Roos to keep the gun until Christmas when the friend planned to give the gun to his girlfriend.
On Friday, November 13, 2015, Roos asked to speak with investigators at the Baxter County Sheriff’s Office concerning his arrest. Roos withdrew his request for an attorney and acknowledged to investigators he understood his Miranda rights.
Roos told investigators Mynk left after she dropped him and Grayham off in the Rices’ Driveway. Roos rang the doorbell which was answered by LaDonna Rice. Roos said he had vehicle trouble and asked for help. LaDonna Rice called for her husband Donald to come to the door. When he did, Roos drew the 9 mm handgun and pointed it at Donald Rice’s head. Donald Rice grabbed the gun and Roos pulled the trigger shooting Rice in the head. Roos said LaDonna started screaming. He threw her to the ground and said when she was looking at him, he shot her in the head.
Roos and Grayham began loading valuables into the victims’ 2015 GMC Sierra. In the affidavit, Grayham said he thought Roos would shoot him too if he did not follow orders.
Roos said they stole a large screen TV from the wall, located and removed a safe, took a .38 caliber revolver and a chainsaw among other items.
Roos said he grabbed a can of gasoline from the Rice’s garage and poured it on an upstairs couch and set it on fire.
Roos and Grayham took the stolen goods to Roos’ and Mynk’s residence and unloaded it. After unloading the items, the two took the truck to a field on Denton Ferry Road where they set it on fire. They walked to a residence nearby and were given a ride back to Roos’ residence.
On November 8, 2015, Roos, Mynk and Grayham took the 9 mm handgun used in the murders and buried it next to a shed on Roos’ father’s property. On November 13, 2015, investigators, with permission from Roos’ father, located the pistol and a bag of 9 mm ammunition.
Prosecuting Attorney David Ethredge commended all law enforcement who played a role in the case for their professionalism and for bringing the case to a speedy conclusion.
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MH man arrested 2nd time for Sexual Indecency with a Child
Over month after his original arrest, a Mountain Home man is again accused of exposing himself to a juvenile. Mountain Home Police Chief Carry Manuel says 20-year-old Shawn Eaton of Mountain Home was arrested Thursday and charged with a Class D felony count of Sexual Indecency with a Child.
According to the police report, Eaton was sitting in front of his on Birdie Drive along with his caregiver. A ten-year-old female walked by Eaton, and he allegedly exposed himself to her.
Eaton was originally arrested in mid-July and charged with Sexual Indecency with a Child and Second-Degree Sexual Assault. He was accused of touching an 11-year-old inappropriately and exposing himself to her at the Donald W. Reynolds Library.
Eaton is incarcerated in the Baxter County jail with bond set at $50,000.
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Marion County to vote on new jail issue in November
An issue that was voted down earlier this year will return to the ballot in Marion County. According to the Harrison Daily Times, the Marion County Quorum Court unanimously approved a proposal to put a half-cent sales tax for a new jail up for a vote in the November general election during Tuesday’s regular session.
Marion County officials have been informed by the state of Arkansas the current detention center is out of compliance and might have to be shut down. If the bond issue is passed by the voters, the increase would provide nearly $8.25 million allowing the county to build a new 60-bed jail and sheriff’s office facility.
In the March primary, voters rejected a three-quarter cent sales tax to fund a new jail, but they did approve a quarter cent tax increase to fund the maintenance of the new jail. The current bond issue is asking for a smaller increase than in the spring, but Marion County Civil Attorney Sam Pasthing says it’s still be a big issue for the voters.
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The general election is scheduled for November 8th.
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NAEC Mtn. Home hosts Law Enforcement Appreciation Day
North Arkansas Electric Cooperative in Mountain Home held Law Enforcement Appreciation Day Wednesday. NAEC provided local law enforcement officers with a free meal and a gift.
NAEC Chief Executive Officer Mel Coleman says law enforcement officers are a vital part of the community.
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Officers received a hat featuring the NAEC logo and a University of Arkansas Razorback logo. Tuesday, NAEC hosted law enforcement at their Ash Flat Office. Thursday from 11 to 1, the appreciation continued at Salem’s NAEC office.
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Several charged with possession of drug paraphernalia Wednesday morning
The Baxter County Sheriff’s Department made several arrests early Wednesday morning related to the possession of drug paraphernalia.
According to Baxter County Sheriff John Montgomery, 23-year-old Kelsie Deardoff of Mountain Home is charged with felony possession of drug paraphernalia. Deardoff was booked in the detention center at 3:45 AM and released a short time later on $2,500 bond.
Timothy Gibbs, a 27-year-old Mountain Home resident, is charged with felony possession of drug paraphernalia. Gibbs was booked in the detention center at 1:19 AM. His bond is set at $2,500.
Tamara Thompson, a 25-year-old Mountain Home resident is charged with felony possession of drug paraphernalia and misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance. Thompson was booked in the detention center at 12:29 AM. Her bond is set at $2,500.
Shawn Austin, a 39-year-old Midway resident, is charged with felony possession of drug paraphernalia and driving on a suspended license. Austin was booked at 1:37 AM. His bond is set at $2,500.
Scott Joseph Jenkins, a 35-year-old Springfield, Missouri resident, is charged with felony possession of drug paraphernalia and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia. Jenkins was booked at 3:17 AM. He posted $2,500 bond and was released.
Deardoff, Gibbs, Thompson, Austin and Jenkins are scheduled to appear in Baxter County Circuit Court.
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AR attorney general rejects Summit woman’s marijuana proposal, again
Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge has again rejected a Summit woman’s proposed constitutional amendment for the 2018 ballot to legalize marijuana in the state.
The proposal by Mary Berry would allow the cultivation, production, distribution, sale, possession and use of the cannabis plant and all products taken from the plant, including marijuana.
Rutledge wrote in Monday’s opinion that the proposal is being rejected because of ambiguities that include whether a license is required to distribute marijuana, whether state agencies or the Legislature may adopt rules to revoke or suspend the licenses and that it’s unclear how and by whom various state agencies would be appointed to oversee the law.
Rutledge in April approved a similar ballot proposal by Berry for the November 2016 election, which isn’t affected by Monday’s action.
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Boone County man charged with Negligent Homicide
A Western Grove man, 26 year old Cody Eastep, is being held in the Boone County jail on multiple charges following a single vehicle accident which killed 25 year old Heather Fanning, a passenger in his vehicle. Two young children, who were passengers in the vehicle, and Eastep were injured and transported to North Arkansas Regional Medical Center in Harrison where they were treated and released.
Boone County Sheriff Mike Moore says Eastep has been charged with negligent homicide, DWI, two counts of first degree endangering the welfare of a minor, driving on a suspended drivers license, and reckless driving. He is being held at the Boone County jail with bond set at $20,000 on the charges for the accident as well as a probation violation and Newton County bonds of $3,515.
The Saturday accident on Old Bellefonte Road near the intersection of McElroy Road occurred when Eastep, who was traveling west on Old Bellefonte, lost control of his vehicle which rolled over and came to rest on the south side of the road. A Boone County Deputy, who responded to the accident, says he found the vehicle in the ditch with significant damage.
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