3 arraigned in Thomas murder
, Richmond News Staff
11-12-2009
It took Associate Circuit Judge Jim Thompson seven words Tuesday to summarize the nine combined kidnapping, murder and armed criminal action charges three local individuals now face.“You’ve been charged with very serious offenses,” Thompson told the three suspects in Carol A. Thomas’ disappearance and death. He entered three not-guilty pleas for James P. Reardon, 23, Independence; Jennifer L. Saling, 21, Lathrop; and Erik R. Zimmerman, 29, Excelsior Springs until they attain counsel.
The three were first arraigned Monday in Clay County on kidnapping charges with intent to inflict bodily harm, each entering a not guilty plea. Reardon pleaded not guilty Tuesday to one first-degree murder charge and one armed criminal action count, filed by interim Ray County Prosecutor Bryan McMahon.
Both Zimmerman and Saling also pleaded not guilty Tuesday to one count apiece of second-degree murder and armed criminal action, all also in Ray County.
The kidnapping charges are each Class B felony counts worth 5 to 15 years imprisonment each. Reardon faces life imprisonment or the death penalty on his murder charge and up to three years on the armed criminal action count. Zimmerman and Saling each face 10 to 30 years for their respective murder charges and up to three years for each armed criminal action charge.
Saling’s preliminary hearing on her kidnapping charge is set for Nov. 19 at 1:30 p.m. in Liberty. Reardon’s takes place Dec. 8 at 1:30 p.m. and Zimmerman’s Dec. 8 at 9 a.m.
Zimmerman’s preliminary hearing on charges faced in Ray County could create a conflict. All are scheduled a hearing for 8:30 a.m. Dec. 8 at the Ray County Courthouse. The charges span two counties because the case’s facts so far span across both jurisdictions.
According to witness accounts, three individuals – presumably Saling, Zimmerman and Reardon – attacked Thomas, 23, Nov. 4 in Excelsior Springs around 9:30 p.m., and threw her into the trunk of a red Pontiac Grand Prix, owned by neither Thomas nor any of the suspects.
Zimmerman’s statement to Ray County Sheriff’s Department deputy Garry Bush reconstructs one version of what happened next, between that point and when authorities discovered Thomas’ body Nov. 5 in a ravine, just miles outside of Elmira.
According to the affidavit 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.
Photo: James P. Reardon, 23, of Independence, is escorted by Ray County Sheriff Major Garry Bush into the Ray County Courthouse Tuesday morning. Reardon is charged with first degree murder and armed criminal action in the death of Carol A. Thomas. Eighth Circuit Court Associate Judge Jim Thompson entered a plea of not guilty until Reardon is assigned counsel. (Photo by JoEllen Black/The Daily News)
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