Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Prescott man held in death of ex-wife

A Prescott man has been charged in the death of his ex-wife and police reports indicate that the woman had lodged complaints against the man prior to the murder.

Isaac Railey Jr., 45, was arrested Aug. 2 after turning himself in to the Nevada County Sheriffs Office.

According to Nevada County Sheriff Bobby Carlton, Railey rode a bicycle to the sheriffs office Thursday afternoon, walked in the side door and spoke to NCSO Jailer Karen Johnson. When Johnson asked him what he was doing, Railey reportedly told her, I killed my wife, Carlton said.

Railey then started to lay down on the floor. Railey told Johnson he didnt have any weapons and was taken into the jail where Carlton met him in the hall.

Carlton said Railey then repeated that hed killed his wife. Because he hadnt yet been checked for weapons, Carlton said there was an immediate rush to restrain Railey, but he turned and placed his hands behind his back for handcuffs without incident.

Carlton said Railey then directed police to Martin Apartment #35. Carlton and NCSO Chief Deputy Wayne Kisselburg headed toward the scene, calling for Prescott Police Chief Brian Russell on the way.

According to information from Russell, he received the call at 3:05 p.m. and arrived at the apartment at 3:09.

While details of the murder have not yet been released, police have identified a single victim, Geniva Chatman, 32. According to Russell, it appeared that Chatman died of knife wounds. Chatmans body has been sent to the Arkansas Crime Lab for autopsy.

Arkansas State Police and South Central Drug Task Force are investigating the incident. Russell said there is no specific reason for the SCDTFs involvement other than their investigative training.

Railey was arrested in April for delivery of a controlled substance. He was released April 27 on his own recognizance, meaning he wasnt required to post any money for his release. That order was signed by Eighth Judicial District Circuit Judge Duncan Culpepper.

Shortly after 2 a.m. on July 28, Chatman called Prescott Police officers to report someone at the door, and that when she opened the door a black male ran towards the woods behind her apartment. According to the report filed by PPD Officer Danny Martin, there were bicycle tracks in the area and Chatman implicated Railey, but no one was located.

The following day, Chatman called police after discovering that her vehicle had been damaged. The fuel line and transmission lines were cut.

Julie Oliver knew Chatman and said she drove Chatman to her fathers after her gas line had been cut. Oliver said Chatman and Railey had been divorced for at least a few months.

She was scared of him, Oliver said.

Oliver said Chatman was a nice person.

She called me sister-girl, Oliver recalled. Since shes been in Prescott, shes been our friend. Shes was just a friend.