Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Murder suspects slated for court

Two accused in the 2004 shooting death of a Nevada County man are scheduled for court in July.

Robert R.J. Williams is slated for a jury trial on July 23. Kendrick Barton is expected to be in court July 17.

The case against the two have been ongoing almost three years R.H. Booger Red Cummings was murdered in his home near Bluff City. Sworn statements from two additional defendants - siblings of Williams and Barton - have implicated both in the incident.

Meanwhile, Judicial District Judge Duncan Culpepper has formally ruled on a motion to exclude evidence in an Arkadelphia murder that is alleged to be connected to the Cummings shooting. Culpepper had written in his court notes almost a month ago that he would allow the information to be included in the case against Williams. On July 2, Culpepper issued his formal ruling.

The similarities in the crimes and the manner in which they were committed makes it clear that the evidence is far more probative than prejudicial, Culpepper wrote. Further, to not allow this evidence to be admitted could confuse the jury. The defendants statement to the Arkadelphia police officer and the state police involves both the murder investigations in Nevada County and Arkadelphia.

Williams lawyer, Little Rock attorney Catherine Compton, filed a motion to exclude information about the 2004 shooting death of an Arkadelphia woman. According to court records, Williams was also involved in the Arkadelphia case.

Four were charged in the Nevada County case. Williams sister, Tekelia Williams, has already been sentenced to 30 years for her part in the crime - driving the car to and from the Cummings home.

Kevin Barton was sentenced to life in prison. Prior to his sentencing, Barton said hed been in the room when Robert Williams shot Cummings in the back.

Tekelia Williams and the Bartons have been subpoenaed for Robert Williams trial, along with Arkadelphia police officers, Arkansas State Police and Crime Lab officials, and former Nevada County Sheriff Steve Otwell.