A Baptist pastor in the Missouri Ozarks has been released on $30,000 bail after spending two years in prison for allegedly shooting and killing his wife's boyfriend.
Matthew Dedmon, now 49, is accused of finding the other man in a car with his wife outside the Iguana Roja Restaurant in the Ozark Courthouse Square Historic District on May 28, 2022. He shot Joe Newburn multiple times in the chest. Ozarks first reported. The newspaper said Dedmon suspected Newbern was having an affair with his wife.
Newbern died the next day at Cox South Hospital, the Ozark Police Department said in a Facebook post.
The pastor of Heritage Baptist Church was charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action. He was held in prison without bond for two years.
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An undated photo of Heritage Baptist Church pastor Matthew Dedmon, now 49 years old. (Christian County Jail)
In September 2022, Judge Laura Johnson wrote that releasing Dedmon on bail would put the public at “grave risk.”
“The evidence is that the defendant was in possession of a loaded gun in the plaza outside a busy restaurant in Ozark, and the gun fired three or four times, killing the victim. All were exposed to grave danger,” Johnson wrote. her decision is law and crime. “There is evidence that this conduct was out of character for the defendant and raises concerns about his decision-making and judgment.”
“The seriousness of the charges increases the risk that the defendant will not appear in court,” she continued. “For these reasons, the court holds the defendant without bail.”
For two years, Dedmon's lawyers and the state's attorney clashed in a legal battle over witness motions and discovery.
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Matthew Dedmon's latest headshot. (Christian County Jail)
However, on October 1, a judge granted Dedmon bail of $30,000, with the condition that he wear a GPS monitoring device and remain under house arrest.
Dedmon's lawyers argued that the state's delay in recommending witnesses violated their client's rights under the Missouri Constitution, according to a defense filing seeking release on bond.
“This case has been pending for more than two years. During that time, defendant's attorneys have worked diligently to prepare this case for trial. Just as we believed the case was complete, the matter was resolved.'' Finally, ready to go to trial, the state filed a motion for recognition. [redacted]” the filing said.
“Defendants vehemently oppose this motion for recognition. However, Defendants are determined that if the court grants the State's motion for recognition, in whole or in part, the State's impermissible conduct in delaying recognition. , submits that the defendant should be released on bail. If this is allowed, a lengthy delay in the defendant's trial will be inevitable.”
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Matthew Dedmon allegedly shot Joe Newbern multiple times after witnessing him talking to his wife in a car near the Iguana Roja Restaurant near the Ozarks Courthouse Square Historic District. (Google Maps)
Christian County Prosecuting Attorney Kristen Toohey could not be reached for comment.
As of Wednesday morning, Christian County Jail records did not indicate that the pastor had been released. His lawyer could not be reached for comment.
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Newbern, the shooting victim, was “the guy next door that everyone always wanted to know,” who “could build a better bike than a Schwinn,” and who “could build a hot rod like he was going to compete in Nascar someday.” I was able to make it.” Online obituary. He has two children and “many grandchildren.”
Dedmon's murder trial is scheduled to begin March 3, according to Ozarks First.
