Photo: Jeffery Scott Shepherd
A Mountain Home man facing murder charges appeared in Baxter County Circuit Court Monday and pled guilty in another case in which he was accused of helping a fugitive elude the law.
Thirty-seven-year-old Jeffery Scott Shepherd was given six years in prison on the hindering charge. He still faces accusations that he participated in the murder of 20-year-old Tyler Pickett in late June last year.
Officers were provided information that ultimately led to the discovery of the victim’s remains and personal items on property along Windswept Trail in the Norfork area.
Investigators have alleged Shepherd admitted he had gone to the area with two other people. He is reported to have confessed that shortly after arriving at the site, he hit Pickett in the head with a closed fist, knocking him out and then kicked the victim in the ribs while he was on the ground.
The victim was reportedly then shot multiple times by 26-year-old James Edward “Tyler” Davis of Norfork.
The case to which Shepherd pled guilty Monday stems from assistance he provided in the efforts of 22-year-old Kyle James Tilley to avoid capture by law enforcement in late July last year.
Tilley was wanted on a number of theft charges at the time. He was finally located holed up in a room at the Super 8 Motel and arrested. Shepherd had rented the room for a two-night stay.
Shepherd allegedly told the motel desk clerk he would be occupying the room with his wife. Video surveillance cameras at the motel picked up Shepherd and Tilley as they entered the side door of the motel, without a female present.
When arrested, Tilley had a pistol with him, and family members alleged he had threatened to shoot any police officer approaching him.
Investigators said Shepherd’s actions in aiding Tilley’s effort to avoid arrest not only caused a delay in him being taken off the streets, but also placed officers’ lives in jeopardy.
Tilley is serving a 10-year prison sentence on his charges.
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