Arraignment set on kidnapping, murder charges in Carol A. Thomas’ death
, Richmond News Staff
11-10-2009
Three individuals face a combined nine criminal counts in two counties, stemming from Carol A. Thomas’ kidnapping and murder.
James P. Reardon, 23, Independence; Jennifer L. Saling, 21, Lathrop; and Erik R. Zimmerman, 29, Excelsior Springs, face arraignment in Clay County today on one kidnapping count each.
The three are currently in custody with a $1 million bond each with no 10 percent allowed.
Interim Ray County prosecutor Bryan McMahon will arraign Reardon on one count of first-degree murder and one count of armed criminal action. Zimmerman and Saling will each face one count of second-degree murder and one count of armed criminal action later this week in Ray County.
Excelsior Springs police arrested the three and took a fourth unidentified “person of interest” into custody Thursday evening in connection with Thomas’ Wednesday evening disappearance from Excelsior Springs. Witnesses said Thomas, 23, was beaten and thrown into a car trunk around 9:30 p.m. Wednesday and was not seen again until authorities discovered her body in a ravine near Elmira Thursday afternoon.
A torched Pontiac Grand Prix, later identified by authorities as belonging to Excelsior Springs resident Carrie Key, was found a few miles from Thomas’ body. The burned car contained no human remains or evidence, according to Excelsior Springs Police Lieutenant Clint Reno Friday.
Thomas’ body was found with two apparently fatal gunshot wounds, according to Reno.
According to the affadavit of probable cause statement, Zimmerman said after they abducted Thomas, the three drove south to Missouri City before almost running out of gas. An unidentified woman arrived in a blue station wagon with extra gas, and Saling left with her.
Zimmerman said in the probable cause statement that Reardon and Thomas argued after he took her out of the trunk. He said he then heard a gunshot and saw the gun’s muzzle flash. He then saw Reardon fire a final shot into Thomas’ head, he told Bush.
He claims Reardon then tossed her into a nearby ditch. Afterwards, they drove south toward Lawson and met Saling. Zimmerman said Reardon finally set the red Grand Prix on fire and the three left the scene, returning to 7380 SE 206th in Holt.
Reardon could face either the death penalty or life imprisonment for the murder charge, and up to three years for armed criminal action. Zimmerman and Saling will each face 10 to 30 years or life imprisonment on their second-degree murder charges, and up to three years for the armed criminal action charges.
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