Monticello Live

Other testimony was presented by Arkansas State Police investigators during Monday’s first appearance hearing for Jonathan Woods, age 31 of Warren, who is charged for the capital murder shooting death of Samantha Poole, Friday night in Monticello.

Special Agent Matt Roberson testified that several witnesses saw the events that took place in and around Save-a-lot that night, March 14, around 7:20 pm,

He also described how the suspect, Jonathan Woods, and the deceased victim, SSamantha Poole were seen fighting inside the store, He told how she had gone into the store (by herself) a few minutes before Woods entered the store. Witnesses reported that the victim told Woods that she did not want to go with him, and how he then pulled her outside by her hair.
As testimony continued, it was told how Woods then fired a 380 caliber handgun in the store’s parking lot, forcing her to get in the car and drive away.
Police and sheriffs deputies arrived on Trotter Street, as the car pulled into that street, with city police behind the Cadillac, as Deputy James Slaughter pulled in front of the car, all with lights and sirens operating.
When the officer saw two muzzle flash gunshots, Deputy Slaughter fired 1 40 caliber shot, striking Woods under left armpit.
Police officers then swarmed the Cadillac, taking Woods down to the ground, and arresting him
Poole was pronounced deceased at DMH, shortly after arrival.

The Arkansas State crime lab determined that Ms. Poole died of 5 gunshot wounds, all from a 380 caliber.
Since the Deputy fired 1 40 caliber round, They determined that only wounds caused by Woods caused her death.

As of Wednesday afternoon, Woods remains hospitalized, and is being held without bond, following Judge Don Glover’s ruling, in Monday’s hearing.

The court appointed a public defender, Steven Porch, to represent him
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Warren Altercation Reported Before Friday Murder – Victim Identified – No Bond for Suspect
March 18,2014

According to SalineRiverChronicle.com, Waren Police were called to an incident involving the suspect in Friday’s Capital Murder, just an hour before the shooting.

Around 6:24 pm, Friday evening, Warren Police Officers were called to Baker Street for an altercation Woods was allegedly involved in; but Woods and Poole had already left for Monticello. See SalineRiverChronicle.com for the full article.

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Victim & Suspect Identified in Capital Murder – Suspect held Without Bond
March 17, 2014 pm

A probable cause hearing was held for Jonathan Woods, of Warren, Monday afternoon at 1:30 in the Arkansas City courthouse, with Drew County Circuit Judge Don Glover presiding.

During testimony, the victim was identified as Samantha Poole, age 29 of Rison.

Woods and Poole, according to Arkansas State Police testimony, arrived at Save-a-lot together. She entered the store, and went to the back; where he followed her, dragging her back outside by the hair.

Woods, reportedly, then pulled out a 380 handgun, firing it once on the parking lot, before they left, with Poole driving.

Judge Glover ruled that there is enough evidence to hold Woods on the probable charge of Capital Murder, without bond.

The hearing was held over video link from Woods’ hospital room, where he is guarded by law enforcement officers.

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1 Dead, 1 Injured in Officer-involved Shooting, Friday Night, near Save-a-lot
March 17, 2014

According to sources, around 7:40 PM Friday night, near the Save-a-lot food store, at the corner of North Hyatt and West Trotter, a domestic dispute led to shots being fired, which in turn led to an officer involved shooting.

Two individuals were injured and transported to Drew Memorial for treatment by SEEMS and MASI ambulance services. One was pronounced dead; the other was transferred north for further care.

A witness told MLive that the man and woman were both from the same vehicle, which was towed right before law enforcement left the area.

MLive has confirmed that the deceased victim was a female; the injured victim was male; and both were not from Monticello or Drew County.

Monticello Police Department, Drew County Sheriffs Deputies, and Arkansas State Police (the investigators of the incident) responded to the call.

The Arkansas State Police confirmed the fatality this morning, but did not release the names of the victims, pending notification of next of kin.

According to Drew County Sheriff Mark Gober, Deputy James Slaughter is currently on administrative leave from the department, until he’s cleared, pending investigation of the incident.  Gober told MLive, “Deputy Slaughter did an excellent job performing his duties, protecting the lives of other law enforcement officers.”  Gober added, “The investigation and leave are mandatory in any officer involved shooting.”

MLive will post updates when they become available.

The following comment was posted by MPD chief Eddy Deaton:
“To begin with, I want to thank all the witnesses that came forward last night. You spent many hours at the police department waiting to be interviewed by investigators. Your time and patience is greatly appreciated. Without your willingness to get involved this may have turned out to be an even more tragic event than it was. To the officers who responded to the call, you all handled the incident in a safe and professional manner. Actions taken by the officers kept a very bad situation from escalating to an even more serious incident. To Deputy James Slaughter, you were the only officer at that moment that could have done what had to be done due to crossfire and background. You made a safe and accurate decision that brought the incident to a stop. To all the responding emergency personnel , EMS from both services were on scene in just a few seconds after the call was given for them to come. The 911 dispatch center kept the situation under control by directing personnel to the scene, calling for ambulances, medical choppers, gathering information from the public and making and receiving many phone calls and radio request. To the Monticello Fire Department, thank you for helping with traffic and assisting with security. To the Arkansas State Police, Troopers Knight, Norris and Cross, thank you for your quick response to the scene and assisting with whatever we needed. To the State Police Company B investigators, Thank you guys for all you did and will continue to do in this matter. You guys are top notch when it comes to investigations. I am sure I have forgot to mention someone, so please forgive me if I did. Monticello should be proud of their emergency personnel and the way they all responded. This is a fantastic group of men and women that did an outstanding job. Thank You All !!!!!”

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