ASHDOWN, Arkansas -Prosecutors in Little River County have filed formal charges in connection with the fatal shooting of a local man in October.
Corey Tyrell Garfield, 45, has been charged with murder in the Oct. 6 death of 48-year-old Dennis Graves.
Chekala Nicole Johnson, 46, identified in a probable cause affidavit as Garfield's girlfriend, has been charged with evidence tampering for allegedly disposing of the murder weapon.
Police were called the night of Oct. 6 to a house in the 600 block of Byrne Street about a man lying in a yard. Officers found Graves lying face down and suffering from a gunshot wound to his left rib area which appeared to have exited through his lungs on the right side.
Witnesses told investigators that Graves had been in a good mood and drinking beer earlier in the evening.
As the investigation proceeded, investigators determined Garfield allegedly held Graves responsible for the loss of an ounce of methamphetamine.
The drugs allegedly came up missing and were found on the ground. Garfield allegedly believed Graves had spoiled the drugs by urinating on them, according to records.
Garfield and Johnson were arrested Nov. 23 in Little Rock. Johnson allegedly took investigators to a location where she had disposed of the gun allegedly used by Garfield to shoot Graves. The weapon was not recovered as the land had been recently mulched.
Garfield faces 10 to 40 years or life in prison if convicted of murder. Johnson faces up to six years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.
Johnson is being held in the Nevada County jail with bail set at $150,000. Garfield is being held in the Little River County jail with bail set at $250,000.
Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Al Smith signed off last week on formal charges against both.