Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Okolona Woman Charged With Murder

A 62-year-old Okolona woman has been charged with second degree murder in the shooting death of her husband.

According to Clark County Sheriff Troy Tucker, officers got a call concerning a shooting in Okolona around 10 a.m. Monday, March 29.

The caller, he said, told the 9-1-1 dispatcher she had shot at her husband. When deputies arrived, they found the victim, Lee Rogers Payne, 67, lying on the front porch of his residence.

Medical personnel from Baptist Medical Center responded, but could detect no signs of life in the victim. Payne was pronounced dead at the scene. His body has been sent to the Arkansas State Crime Lab in Little Rock for autopsy.

Officers arrested Payne's wife, Geneva Bee, charging her with second degree murder.

A .38-caliber revolver was found at the scene and has been sent to the crime lab as well to determine if it is the murder weapon.

Tucker said officers have reason to believe the two had been involved in an altercation before the shooting occurred.

Payne is being held without bail at the Clark County jail in Arkadelphia.