By Jeff Lehr
jlehr@joplinglobe.com
NOEL, Mo. — A husband and wife were arrested Wednesday night in connection with the fatal shooting of their son-in-law on the streets of Noel, but they were released on bond a short time later without any charges being filed.
Jacob Boles, the Noel town marshal, said James L. Patterson, 47, and Kimberly D. Patterson, 45, were arrested and taken to the McDonald County Jail in connection with the shooting death Monday night of Marty E. Reece.
The Pattersons each posted $25,000 bond.
The marshal’s office and the McDonald County Sheriff’s Department are investigating the shooting. Boles said his office turned in probable-cause affidavits and reports to the McDonald County prosecutor Thursday morning. The prosecutor’s office told the Globe that no charges would be filed Thursday while the reports remained under review.
Prosecutor Janice Durbin could not be reached for comment.
Reece was shot more than once a short distance from his home on Alexander Street. Boles declined to say how many times he was shot or by whom.
The Pattersons, who live in the Noel area, are the father-in-law and mother-in-law of Reece. Boles said their daughter, Jindy Patterson, 21, was married to Reece and they have a child. The young couple were getting a divorce at the time of the shooting, the marshal said.
Investigators have been weighing the validity of a self-defense claim in the case, according to Sheriff Robert Evenson. Neither the marshal nor the sheriff would comment Thursday on what led to the shooting or how it happened.
Boles said Reece’s wife and her father were present when an officer arrived Monday night and found Reece dead from gunshot wounds. A single handgun was recovered at the scene, he said. Boles said no other weapon was involved.
There has been some confusion over the victim’s age. The marshal’s office maintains that Reece was 32. The county coroner said Wednesday that identification in Reece’s wallet showed him to be 29. Boles insisted Thursday that the correct age is 32.
While Boles declined to say if a domestic dispute between Reece and his wife preceded the shooting, he said officers were called to their home two years ago for an alleged domestic assault.
Court records show that Jindy Patterson sought and obtained a protection order against her husband in April of this year. Boles said that order was still in effect at the time of the shooting.
The marshal said investigators remain uncertain as to whether the couple got back together recently. He said there has been some conflicting information on the matter.
“That’s still unclear to us — whether they were living together or not,” he said.
Local News
Couple arrested in Noel shooting; no charges filed
- Local News
-
-
Couple 'scoop out' ice cream business from the past
When 3-year-old Brynlee Rabel tried coconut ice cream for the first time Tuesday, it was love at first taste. “She got the vanilla, but when she tasted my coconut ice cream she had to have it,” said Kayleigh Daugherty, a Joplin resident who wanted Brynlee to share the same experience she had as a little girl when she visited Anderson’s Ice Cream.
-
Missouri National Guard releases records involving soldiers who looted from Wal-Mart
The Missouri National Guard has released records confirming that four soldiers were disciplined for taking merchandise from the ruins of a Wal-Mart store in Joplin one day after the tornado that devastated the city a year ago.
-
Joplin school board awards contract to complete demolition of JHS
The Joplin Board of Education on Tuesday night accepted a bid for finishing tornado-related demolition at the high school.
-
Auditor cites, commission covers potential shortfall in Jasper County sheriff’s budget
The Jasper County Commission on Tuesday approved the transfer of $23,000 onto the Law Enforcement Sales Tax fund available to the sheriff’s office to cover a potential budget shortfall.
-
Joplin METS director requests space for additional ambulance
If all goes like METS Director Jason Smith hopes, this time next year the service will have two ambulances in Webb City, housed in their own station. At Tuesday night’s City Council meeting, Smith requested that the council allow the Joplin-based Metro Emergency Transport System to rent or lease space at the former public works building, 110 E. Church St.
-
Mike Pound: Food competitions combine to make culinary heaven
It’s such a great idea, you wonder why someone didn’t think of it before. In fact, it’s such a good idea that it’s possible it came about by accident.
-
Mo. court strikes down part of 2008 harassment law
The Missouri Supreme Court has struck down part of a state harassment law enacted after the suicide of a St. Charles County teenager who was teased over the Internet.
-
Cattle rustlers strike again in SW Mo. county
The plague of cattle rustling goes on in southwest Missouri’s Greene County.
Sheriff Jim Arnott says the latest episode occurred sometime Sunday in Walnut Grove. -
Bids sought for Cherokee County water treatment plant
After many delays, construction bids are being sought for a water treatement plant and water tank for the Spring River Public Wholesale Water District No. 19.
-
Dog helps some get through the court process
Sophie, a mutt of a dog with draping ears and dotted brows, is helping people in St. Louis County court tell stories of crime to judges, investigators and attorneys.
- More Local News Headlines
-
