Police: Fort Smith man admits to killing sheriff’s father

wireready_09-07-2018-18-34-02_04162_murderinvestigation

FORT SMITH, Ark. (AP) _ Authorities say a Fort Smith-area man has admitted to
the slaying of an Oklahoma sheriff’s father.

Police arrested 44-year-old Ricky Rainwater on Monday after investigators
reported they believed he robbed and killed Larry Lane Sr. over the weekend in
Cherokee County, Oklahoma. Lane is the father of Sheriff Larry Lane Jr. of
Sequoyah County, Oklahoma.

Cherokee County Undersheriff Jason Chennault tells the Times Record Rainwater admitted Thursday to strangling Lane Sr. to death. Investigators believe Rainwater traveled from Fort Smith, Arkansas, to Vian, Oklahoma, where he took a truck to Cherokee County and killed Lane Sr.

Rainwater has been charged with first-degree murder, robbery by force and fear
and automobile theft. He remained in custody Thursday at the Cherokee County
jail without bond. Jail records don’t list an attorney for him.

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