A man who has been in jail since the day after the murder of four Stone County residents in the Ben community has been charged with those murders.
Donnie Lee Trammell, 54, is charged with shooting to death his parents, Clinton and Sharon Trammell, and two neighbors, Shirley Watters and her son, James “Cecil” Watters.
In Stone County Circuit Court, the prosecutor’s office has charged Trammell with four counts of murder in the first degree, two counts of aggravated burglary, and possession of a firearm by a certain person in commission of a felony.
He is also being charged under the habitual offender law.
Trammell’s bond was set at $4 million.
Trammell has been incarcerated in the Stone County Jail on unrelated probation violations since April 22 — the day after the murders he is charged with committing.
Stone County Chief Deputy Sheriff Dammon McGilton said much of the credit for the investigative work that led to the filing of charges should go to the Arkansas State Police, and in particular Company E.
McGilton noted that, at one time, 10 Arkansas State Police investigators were working on the Stone County murder cases.
McGilton thanked the community for being patient with the Sheriff’s Department through the difficult investigative process at a press conference announcing Trammell’s arrest.
He emphasized that there is no public threat involving the investigation, which he said, is ongoing.
McGilton also said there would not be any additional details and information released until the cases go to court.
For more information on this story, click here.
Initial post from Thursday, May 27, 2022:
An arrest was announced today in the death investigations of four Stone County residents in April.
Donnie Lee Trammell (pictured), 54, of Mountain View, has been charged with four counts of first-degree murder; two counts of aggravated burglary; possession of a firearm by a certain person in commission of a felony; and for being a habitual offender.
His bond was set at $4 million.
Trammell has been incarcerated in the Stone County Jail since April 22 on unrelated probation violations.
The Stone County Sheriff’s Department, with the Arkansas State Police as the lead investigative unit, conducted two double homicide investigations beginning on April 21.
The bodies of Shirley Watters, 77, and her son, James Watters, 55, were found dead in their home. Both had been shot inside the house at 646 Northcutt Road, off Arkansas Highway 5.
Several hours later, the bodies of William Clinton Trammell, 75, and his wife, Sharon, 72, were found murdered, both shot at their residence a short distance from the Watters residence south of Mountain View.
At a press conference on Thursday, Stone County Chief Deputy Sheriff Dammon McGilton emphasized that there was no public threat involving this investigation.
McGilton noted much credit for the investigation results should go to the Arkansas State Police, and the investigative unit of Company E.
Image: Stone County Sheriff’s Department
Have a news tip or event to promote? Email White River Now at news@whiterivernow.com. Be sure to like and follow us on Facebook and Twitter. And don’t forget to download the White River Now mobile app from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.
Get up-to-date local and regional news/weather every weekday morning and afternoon from the First Community Bank Newsroom on Arkansas 103.3 KWOZ. White River Now updates are also aired weekday mornings on 93 KZLE, Outlaw 106.5, and Your FM 99.5.
