The third suspect in a 2015 murder of a Booneville man is scheduled for an August 8 pre-trial hearing and an August 25 trial date according to information from the Logan County District Court.
Robert Allen Melton, 53, who had skipped bail and was apprehended on July 11 trying to sneak across the border from California into Mexico had been scheduled for a July court date when he jumped bail.
Melton faces a 1st degree murder charge and remains jailed on a $100,000 cash bond according to court records. Both the pre-trial and the trial are scheduled for the Booneville District court room on their respective dates.
Melton, along with Nick Stoicu and Joseph Brown, was arrested on suspicion of murder, as well as aggravated robbery and unlawful possession of firearms in the two year-old case, the 2015 murder of Ritchie Lynch.
Lynch was found dead at his home on Glover Daniels Road on April 6, 2015, according to Hicks.
Autopsy results showed Lynch had been shot multiple times.
Not long after the death of Lynch, Melton along with Stoicu and Brown was arrested on suspicion of murder, as well as aggravated robbery and unlawful possession of firearms.
Stoicu and Brown took plea bargains on reduced charges of 2nd degree murder and both are doing 10 years in the eastern Arkansas maximum Security Unit In Marianna.
Stoicu’s July 2016 plea caught him 30 year, which he is serving in addition to drug related sentences. Brown, in the same prison, is also serving 30 years on a 2nd degree murder plea as well as 66 years on drug-related and other charges.
Stoicu, 40, and Joseph Oliah Hals Brown, 33, had been charged with first-degree murder, aggravated robbery and possession of firearms by certain persons in the incident surrounding the death of Lynch but managed reduced sentencing via their plea deals.
With the added circumstances of Melton fleeing after initially being released on bail, he may not ne afforded the same option.
During the murder investigation, Melton told investigators that on April 2, he and four other people, including Stoicu and Brown, went to Lynch’s residence to “rob Lynch of dope and money.’
The others involved were Teresa Bennett, who pointed out the Lynch residence and Dave Ann Townsend, who had been picked up by the three men en route to the crime scene.
After they located the home, the intent of the parties involved was “to steal Lynch’s dope and money.”
Melton stated in an affidavit that it was just supposed to be a robbery. The two women remained in the vehicle parked in a wooded area while Melton, Stoicu, and Brown walked to the home.
In the plan, Melton was to stand watch by the front gate while Stoicu and Brown approached the home. While on watch Melton heard “about four gunshots” and Stoicu and Brown returned to the driveway soon after the shots were fired.
The men returned to the vehicle and drove a short distance before pulling over thinking they were being followed. Once they were back on the road they went to Melton’s residence.
Melton stated that the party of four left his home in Waldron with a duffel bag.
“Before they left, they wanted to break down everything and split it up,” stated Melton in the report.
Melton was offered $800 and 17 grams of methamphetamine for his part in the alleged crime, but stated he refused to take either. Stoicu was in possession of the rifle and Brown had a gun.
Brown allegedly drove a maroon SUV to a wooded area that was cleared out near Lynch’s residence. Melton “kept point” at Lynch’s gate while Stoicu and Brown walked up to Lynch’s residence, according to the affidavit.
Teresa Lynn Bennett plea bargained to robbery charges in the incident and is currently doing 15 years total for that conviction and drug sentencing out of Polk County.
Dave Ann Townsend’s part in the crime, as well as revocation of parole other various drug charges and status as a habitual offender earned her 41 years in jail, Both women are housed in the McPherson Unit in Newport.
