Thursday, January 04, 2018

Jasper County justice: Joplin murder suspect charged with shooting man in 2015, stabbing another in 2013

When Artilius Jordan, 47, Joplin, pleaded not guilty during a video arraignment this morning in Jasper County Circuit Court to the Christmas Eve murder of Sean Harris, 43, Joplin, Judge Joseph Hensley asked him if needed to have a lawyer appointed for him.

He should have asked how Jordan was still on the streets and able to be charged with such a crime.

As noted in the December 25 Turner Report, Jordan, who allegedly shot Sean Harris to death, was charged with assault after allegedly shooting Corey M. Walstead, 23, Diamond. The shooting took place at a time when Jordan was already serving a five-year probation after pleading guilty on July 28, 2014 to a felony burglary charge.

Walstead told Joplin Police officers the shooting took place at Jordan's apartment and after executing a search warrant at the apartment, the police seized evidence and arrested Jordan.

Though a probation violation citation was made, the judge continued Jordan's probation and did not extend the probation period.

No record of the assault charge remains on Jasper County Circuit Court online records indicating the charges were dropped.

Apparently, the same thing happened with another violent crime Jordan allegedly committed.

A blood-soaked Stanley Watkins, 35 at the time, told Joplin Police on January 3, 2013 that Jordan stabbed him.

The probable cause statement said Watkins had been stabbed in the shoulder, abdomen and had a cut to the face.

When police arrived at Jordan's apartment, he said he had been asleep and did not know anything about the stabbing.

The officer did not believe Jordan's story, since Jordan had blood on his hands and pants and a bloody pillowcase was in plain sight just inside the apartment doorway.

Jordan was charged with first degree assault and armed criminal action.

Those charges were also dropped at some point.

A public defender has been appointed for Jordan.

The other man charged in the murder of Sean Harris, Moses Ramsey, 27, Jopiin, also pleaded not guilty this morning and a public defender was appointed for him.

The next hearings for both men are scheduled for Wednesday, January 17.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Were the charges dropped because Judd had called a corrupt judge?