First-degree murder charges were officially filed on Tuesday in Independence County Circuit Court against Matthew Earl Speakman, 18, in the May death of Jason Anderson, 49, of Sulphur Rock.
According to Speakman’s arrest affidavit, deputies from the Independence County Sheriff’s Department found the body of Anderson at his Sulphur Rock residence on May 17. Speakman told authorities that after Anderson allegedly made advances toward him, he grabbed a hammer off a coffee table and struck Anderson in the head, telling investigators he was “defending himself,” the affidavit said.
When deputies arrived on the scene, Anderson was found deceased in the bathtub with a hammer and large rocks also in the tub. Deputies noted that it appeared the victim had been struck several times.
Investigators said that Speakman drove from the scene in Anderson’s vehicle after killing him. The affidavit noted that Speakman possessed drug paraphernalia when he was taken into custody by an Independence County Sheriff’s deputy later that afternoon in Sulphur Rock.
Matthew Earl Speakman (pictured below) has been charged with first-degree murder, theft of property, and possession of drug paraphernalia for the use of meth. All three charges are felonies.
Murder in the first degree carries a penalty of 10 to 40 years or life in prison, and a fine not to exceed $25,000.
His bond was set at $1 million.
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Image: Independence County Sheriff’s Department
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