Richard Don "Ricky" Rainwater
A Fort Smith man charged with first degree murder in the death of the father of the Sequoyah County Sheriff will make another court appearance this week.
During a preliminary hearing a few weeks ago, Richard Don “Ricky” Rainwater, 44, of Fort Smith was bound over on first-degree murder charges and an amended charge of larceny of an automobile in Cherokee County District Court in Tahlequah, according to Eric Jordan, supervisory assistant district attorney with District 27.
Rainwater, according to reports, has confessed to choking to death Larry Lane Sr., father of Sequoyah County Sheriff Larry Lane Jr., on Aug. 31 at Lane’s home in Park Hill in Cherokee County. In a prepared statement Jack Thorp, district attorney for Cherokee, Sequoyah, Adair and Wagoner Counties, said, Rainwater allegedly admitted to ‘strangling the life out of an innocent man.’ Thorp said Rainwater admitted to stealing Lane’s belongings and fleeing out of state.
Rainwater was arrested by Memphis police after Cherokee County, Sequoyah County and OSBI investigators tracked receipts from Lane’s stolen credit card across two states. Lane’s stolen pickup truck was discovered in West Memphis, Ark., and officers found Rainwater in a mental health facility where he had admitted himself, Thorp said.
The district court arraignment scheduled for Thursday before District Judge Douglas Kirkley is when Rainwater will enter a plea, probably of not guilty, according to Jordan.
“It will be set on another docket for purpose of a jury trial,” explained Jordan. “It will probably be on the September trial docket.”
Jordan said defense counsel will review the arraignment transcripts to see if they have any motions before Thursday’s hearing. He said he has not received any motions from the defense, nor have any been filed.
Rainwater remains in custody in Cherokee County.
Rainwater, according to reports, has confessed to choking to death Larry Lane Sr., father of Sequoyah County Sheriff Larry Lane Jr., on Aug. 31 at Lane’s home in Park Hill in Cherokee County. In a prepared statement Jack Thorp, district attorney for Cherokee, Sequoyah, Adair and Wagoner Counties, said, Rainwater allegedly admitted to ‘strangling the life out of an innocent man.’ Thorp said Rainwater admitted to stealing Lane’s belongings and fleeing out of state.
Rainwater was arrested by Memphis police after Cherokee County, Sequoyah County and OSBI investigators tracked receipts from Lane’s stolen credit card across two states. Lane’s stolen pickup truck was discovered in West Memphis, Ark., and officers found Rainwater in a mental health facility where he had admitted himself, Thorp said.
The district court arraignment scheduled for Thursday before District Judge Douglas Kirkley is when Rainwater will enter a plea, probably of not guilty, according to Jordan.
“It will be set on another docket for purpose of a jury trial,” explained Jordan. “It will probably be on the September trial docket.”
Jordan said defense counsel will review the arraignment transcripts to see if they have any motions before Thursday’s hearing. He said he has not received any motions from the defense, nor have any been filed.
Rainwater remains in custody in Cherokee County.
Pam Cloud, Managing News Director
For more news stories stay tuned to The MIX 105.1 or visit www.kxmx.com
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.