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| Caleb Saddler (mug shot Val Verde Co. TX Sheriff) |
Authorities in McDonald County are investigating a "brutal" murder that has investigators in surrounding counties and the Missouri Highway Patrol assisting in the investigation.
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On Tuesday (05-22-12) one of Michael David Smith's brother's called the McDonald County sheriff's office to report that he was missing and that he sometimes stayed at a house just west of Goodman, according to Sheriff Robert Evenson.
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It was during the investigation into Smith's disappearance that an informant told investigator's that Caleb Saddler allegedly shot 31 year-old Mike Smith, of Goodman, in the head during a dispute either late Thursday (05-17-12 ) night or early Friday morning at a house at 4736 Rt. B Highway, according to Evenson. The house is about 5 miles west of Goodman in a rural part of the county.
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| Mike Smith (courtesy Neosho Daily News) |
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Saddler, a 26 year-old welder from Del Rio, Texas, has been charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action. Court documents say he allegedly attempted to burn Smith's body before he placed the remains in a 55 gallon plastic container.
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According to the probable cause statement, Sadler filled the barrel with concrete, loaded it on a trailer and dumped Smith's decomposing body in a trash pit on his (Saddler's) grandparents farm on Trout Farm Road between Neosho and Joplin.
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Smith's remains were recovered today (05-24-12) in Newton County, according to Evenson.
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The handgun allegedly used to kill Smith was "found today at a home in Granby," said Evenson.
Saddler, who was in Missouri to attend a grandparent's funeral when Smith was murdered, was arrested this afternoon in Del Rio and is awaiting extradition back to Missouri. He has a cash only bond of $100,000.
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"Our informant's didn't come forward while he was still in town," said Evenson. "I don't know if it was an intimidation thing or they were scared or what."
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Evenson added that the investigation is ongoing and additional charges against other people could be forthcoming. "We think he (Saddler) may have had helping transporting and disposing of the body."
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Southwest Missouri Forensics is conducting the autopsy of Smith today in Springfield.
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UPDATE 09-05-12:
Judge John Lepage ruled that the state has enough evidence to proceed to trial. Saddler, who was released from custody after posting a $100,000 cash only bond, was scheduled to be arraigned in circuit court today, however, that has been rescheduled to October 10th.
19 comments:
Any idea when the probable cause affidavit will be released?
Michael Smith Goodman
The PC has been released and was very brief. I have included all the information.
k
michael david smith...these people are sick and to think they were his friends that did it..i mean really come on who can we trust anymore..i am the mother of his 3 children and the ex wife..i will be attending all the court dates for trial..
On the murder of Michael Smith. The so called in formants, why are they not being charged. The murder happened at their home and it sounds like they did particpate. Why is only Sadler being charged?
Cha Cha
I am shock by all of this and cant believe this happened... I am an ex girlfriend of Caleb and never in my mind would I think he would do something like this... My condolences 2 the family and my prayers are with u Caleb
theres more people to this whole thing...trial starts soon,,
calebs ex
are you the one who told the cops that u were prego, so that they would release him or u a different ex,,,just curious....i hope that all of them spend life without parole,,,they deserve it,,the hardest part was having to tell our 3 kids ,,
the people where it happened at they were in on it they will be charged in time,,,
As far as I know, no one else has been charged. I will check with the prosecutor next week on the status.
As far as where the remains were found they had no idea what had happened, according to Sheriff Evenson.
k
They better pay!!! They have hurt my family so bad my husband not only lost his cousin he lost his best friend!!! To think they looked me right in the eye an lied to me i hope they all burn in hell
why is there not any updates on this story.....
Time to update don't u think
i am not the ex that you are thinking of. i am from del rio and havent heard from him since he left... i do not condone any part of this crime and but at the same time i do and will always care about him. as fas as for the family i understand ur hurt and anger because it is hard to loose anyone period. i am only at knowledge by what i read on the internet. i pray bundles of strength for you and your family...
When will the next court date be?
Saddler pleaded not guilty on October 2nd. A pre-trial conference is scheduled for December 11th @ 9 a.m.
k
C. Saddler/M.smith update?
Okay, It's passed December 11th. What has happened now? I personally knew all four people & am curious as to this outcome.
Why are'nt the so called witnesses being charged with conspiracy of murder after the fact???
Its called turning States Evidence... that's what happens when people who help commit the act then snitch out the other people to save their own ass. .. so keep your head up Caleb... fuck them all, we do what we do and we have our reasons..... a friend from the past.
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