A Baptist pastor in the Missouri Ozarks has been granted bail after spending two years in prison for allegedly fatally shooting his wife's boyfriend in broad daylight outside a crowded restaurant.
Matthew Dedmon, a 49-year-old pastor from Springfield, drove his truck to the Ozark Courthouse Square Historic District and found his wife, the report said. KYTV-TV. Reportedly, Dedmon realized she was with 57-year-old Joe Newbern, but Dedmon believed he was having an affair with his wife.
However, Judge Johnson reversed his decision on October 1, changing his bail from no to $30,000.
“The evidence is that the defendant was in possession of a loaded gun in the plaza outside a crowded restaurant in Ozark, and that the gun fired three or four times, resulting in the victim's death. “This put everyone in the square at grave risk. There was evidence that this behavior was out of character for the defendant and raised concerns about his decision-making and judgment,” Judge Laura Johnson said. Ta. I wrote In September 2022.
This was announced by the Ozark Police Department. statement: “The victim was pronounced dead on arrival at Cox South Hospital in Springfield.”
Dedmon was charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action.
Judge Johnson ruled, “The seriousness of the charges increases the risk that the defendant will not appear in court. For these reasons, the court will detain the defendant without bail.”
However, Judge Johnson reversed his decision on October 1, changing his bail from no to $30,000. Dedmon, pastor of Heritage Baptist Church in Rogersville, was released on the condition that he wear a GPS monitoring device and remain on house arrest.
“Defendants may only leave their homes for court appearances and emergency medical treatment,” Johnson declared.
a Defense application It has emerged that even before the latest ruling, Dedmon's lawyer had argued that his client should be granted bail.
As of Wednesday, Christian County Jail records did not indicate Dedmon had been released.
Dedmon's murder trial is scheduled to begin on March 3.
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