The suspect in a September murder case was denied a discount of the $2 million bond holding him in a murder case throughout a listening to final week.
The case was continued to Could 14, at which era a trial date is predicted to be set.
Thomas Mack Arnold Sr., 39, is accused within the Sept. 27 taking pictures demise of Billy Ray Jones, 63, of 25 Christian Rd., that occurred at Jones’ dwelling.
In January, Arnold was indicted on a single rely of first-degree homicide.
Jones’ physique was discovered on a settee within the entrance room of a cell dwelling. He had been shot as soon as within the chest with a shotgun.
Witnesses on the scene supplied statements that led to Arnold being recognized as a suspect within the case.
Investigators with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Workplace had been instructed Arnold had left the realm. A needed bulletin was issued to regional regulation enforcement businesses.
Later that night time, deputies in Crisp County, GA, stopped Arnold’s automobile touring on Interstate 75 close to the town of Cordell in south Georgia.
When approached by deputies, Arnold was quoted by TBI Particular Agent Luke Webb in the course of the bond listening to as apologizing for “operating” and that the 2 individuals with him had nothing to do with the taking pictures.
Arnold is represented by Victor Gernt III, who requested a bond discount listening to that was held March 15.
The listening to began with Assistant District Lawyer Philip Hatch getting into into the report three failure to seem attachments entered towards Arnold prior to now for not displaying up for courtroom. Convictions, starting from a probation violation to home assault and theft, had been additionally entered into the report.
Three of the convictions had been for felony reckless endangerment, felony evading arrest and theft of property.
Webb was the one particular person testifying in the course of the listening to. He stated after Arnold left the Christian Rd. handle, he traveled to Bledsoe and Van Buren counties earlier than heading to Florida, the place his mother and father stay.
Webb additionally testified he seen a video made when Arnold was taken into custody that confirmed Arnold saying the taking pictures was in self-defense.
Below cross-examination from Gernt, Webb stated investigators acquired conflicting statements from witnesses and that the shotgun used within the deadly taking pictures was not recovered.
In closing, Hatch argued the bond ought to stay the identical contemplating no proof was introduced to the courtroom that Arnold has ties to the county or has a job.
He additionally pointed at Arnold’s previous report and the three failure to seem attachments and that when Arnold was taken into custody in Georgia, he instructed the arresting officer he was conscious of the taking pictures in Cumberland County.
Hatch quoted Arnold as telling the Georgia deputy, “I’m sorry I ran,” which is proof, Hatch stated, that Arnold is a flight threat.
Gernt countered that, in comparison with different murder instances pending on the docket, the bond is extreme. He argued that conflicting witness statements and the self-defense declare favors his shopper and there’s no purpose to imagine he would flee from the county the place he grew up.
“It appears extra like extreme punishment and to not insure look,” Gernt summarized.
Felony Courtroom Decide Gary McKenzie agreed with Hatch that the bond was applicable, primarily based on the data introduced.
In mild of Arnold being held in jail, unable to put up bond, McKenzie stated the case can be a precedence in shifting ahead and set Could 14 as a deadline date.
At the moment, it’s anticipated McKenzie will set a deadline for motions to be filed and presumably a trial date.
