BLYTHEVILLE — A man accused of a slaying in Mississippi County in which the victim's body was found in the yard of a church is to have a court appearance.
Authorities arrested 43-year-old Jimmy Northern of Blytheville on a first-degree murder charge in the 2012 shooting death of Thomas Essig. Northern has a court hearing Wednesday and trial is tentatively set to start March 10.
The Jonesboro Sun reported that Essig's body was found in the yard of the True Gospel Missionary Church in Blytheville on Dec. 1, 2012.
Prosecutors say the shooting occurred after the two men argued.