An Arkansas man was formally charged with murder last month in the shooting death of his stepson.
The Logan County Sheriff’s Office said it was called to a home shared by John E. Rich III, 68, and Richard Lease, 38, on January 7 by someone reporting a shooting, the Texarkana Gazette reported. When they arrived, deputies found Lease dead in a bedroom.
Police did not say who called 911, but Lease’s obituary says that he died “by his Mothers side.”
An affidavit recorded on February 3 by the Arkansas State Police said that the two men had a verbal argument that evening which led to a physical altercation, the Gazette said. Lease retreated to his room, the affidavit said, and Rich retrieved an AR-style rifle, flung open his stepson’s door, and started shooting.
Rich reportedly told investigation he “just want[ed] him out” because he was tired of Rich “stealing tools and money,” the document said.
Rich is being held on a $1 million bond, jail records show. He was formally charged on February 18 and is due in court for arraignment on Friday.
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[Featured image: John E. Rich III/Logan County Sheriff’s Office and Richard Lease/Agent Mallory-Martin Funeral Home]
