FORT SMITH, Ark. -
According to court documents, police have a confession in the murder of 75-year-old Troy Anderson, the scandal-plagued former mayor of Waldron.
21-year-old Mario Dawson and his wife, 20-year-old Jasmie Carter Johnson, were originally arrested on charges they fraudulently used Anderson's credit card in Fort Smith and Little Rock; police later added first-degree murder charges after they say Mario Dawson confessed to beating Anderson and dumping his body in Pulaski County.
"We believe Mario Dawson knew Mr. Anderson, believe there was a confrontation between the two, and we believe Mario Dawson killed Mr. Anderson," said Capt. Jarrard Copeland of the Fort Smith Police Department.
Police believe they found Anderson's body in Pulaski County Tuesday, about 500 yards away from his truck, which was discovered a week earlier. The body was too burned to identify, but police say they collected enough evidence that they're convinced the body is Anderson's.
Investigators said they had searched the area about week before when Anderson's truck was found there, but weren't able to find the body until they received information as to its possible location on Tuesday.
"You almost had to be right on top of them in order to locate the body, it wasn't something that you'd just be able to see," said Corporal Mikeal Bates with the FSPD.
Dawson was booked into the Sebastian County Adult Detention Center Tuesday night, and appeared before a judge in a video arraignment for the credit card charges Wednesday morning. Prosecutors say they plan to file formal murder charges soon, after they thoroughly review the police department's case.
"To hear something is one thing, but to see it in black and white and make sure... obviously with anything of this gravity you have to make sure before you file the charges," said Sebastian County Prosecutor Daniel Shue.
After charges are filed, Dawson could be back before a judge as early as July 15. Investigators say it's possible his wife could also face murder charges, if they find she had anything to do with Anderson's death.
21-year-old Mario Dawson and his wife, 20-year-old Jasmie Carter Johnson, were originally arrested on charges they fraudulently used Anderson's credit card in Fort Smith and Little Rock; police later added first-degree murder charges after they say Mario Dawson confessed to beating Anderson and dumping his body in Pulaski County.
"We believe Mario Dawson knew Mr. Anderson, believe there was a confrontation between the two, and we believe Mario Dawson killed Mr. Anderson," said Capt. Jarrard Copeland of the Fort Smith Police Department.
Police believe they found Anderson's body in Pulaski County Tuesday, about 500 yards away from his truck, which was discovered a week earlier. The body was too burned to identify, but police say they collected enough evidence that they're convinced the body is Anderson's.
Investigators said they had searched the area about week before when Anderson's truck was found there, but weren't able to find the body until they received information as to its possible location on Tuesday.
"You almost had to be right on top of them in order to locate the body, it wasn't something that you'd just be able to see," said Corporal Mikeal Bates with the FSPD.
Dawson was booked into the Sebastian County Adult Detention Center Tuesday night, and appeared before a judge in a video arraignment for the credit card charges Wednesday morning. Prosecutors say they plan to file formal murder charges soon, after they thoroughly review the police department's case.
"To hear something is one thing, but to see it in black and white and make sure... obviously with anything of this gravity you have to make sure before you file the charges," said Sebastian County Prosecutor Daniel Shue.
After charges are filed, Dawson could be back before a judge as early as July 15. Investigators say it's possible his wife could also face murder charges, if they find she had anything to do with Anderson's death.
