FAYETTEVILLE -- Springdale prosecutors have dropped several misdemeanor charges because they no longer have a witness to testify against a man expected to be charged in Missouri with killing his former girlfriend and her grandfather.
The charges -- domestic assault, interference with emergency communications and endangering the welfare of a minor -- were related to a domestic dispute involving Christopher Lee Paschall and Casey Brace.
Law enforcement officials in Barry County, Mo., said Paschall shot and killed Brace, and her grandfather, Herbert Townsend, and kidnapped Paschall's and Brace's 2-year-old daughter Jan. 5 near Washburn, Mo., about 20 miles northeast of Bentonville.
Springdale police arrested Paschall the next day at the home of a relative.
Taylor Samples, a deputy city attorney, said in the motion dropping the charges he could not put on his case against Paschall without Brace as a witness.
Paschall is in the Washington County jail awaiting trial on charges that arose from his arrest in Springdale.
Paschall pleaded not guilty Feb. 7 in Washington County Circuit Court to charges of possession of a firearm by certain persons, possession of drug paraphernalia, theft by receiving and violating terms of a prior bond. He was given a trial date of May 1. His bond is set at $100,000, but Missouri officials have a hold on him in case he should make bond.
Paschall faces up to 326 years in prison in Arkansas and prosecutors can dispose of their charges against Paschall faster than Missouri can.
Paschall's charges in Washington County are expected to be resolved before Missouri tries to extradite him.
Missouri officials haven't begun extradition proceedings against Paschall nor have they filed formal charges against him. There is no statute of limitation on murder charges.
NW News on 03/05/2015