Affidavit Reveals New Details After Father, Son Arrested in Murder Case
By: Lauren Trager, KARK 4 News
Updated: January 14, 2013
An affidavit obtained by KARK shows shocking details of why a father and son were arrested in Searcy County.
Eighteen-year-old Chris Smith is being held on suspicion of first-degree murder. His father Stoney Cox was also arrested for abuse of a corpse, burglary and theft.
While the murder happened in Witts Springs in Searcy County, Monday the two men appeared in Faulkner County to face a judge for the very first time.
"It's devastating," said Prosecutor Cody Hiland, in regards to one family's loss.
Hiland is now vowing to get answers for a grieving family.
"What we can provide them is a small measure of justice, that's a poor substitute for the loss of the family member, our thoughts and prayers are with the family."
Hiland says he can't comment much.
But new details outlined in an arrest affidavit we got a hold of Monday, he says, speak for themselves.
The document relays exactly what Smith and Cox have told investigators since their neighbor, victim Eddie Covington, was last seen in November last year.
Specifically, the affidavit says on Jan. 10, investigators found the victim's guns, ammo, furniture and truck at Smith and Cox's home.
Then, the next day, investigators say Cox told them his son had shot the victim with a rifle, and then the two buried the body in a shallow grave, covered with large rocks.
Officers also say Smith admitted he had done the shooting, because the victim had made homosexual advances toward him.
But Hiland says this admitted motive may mean little.
"Obviously in most homicides there's a motive, I'm not concerned with that when it relates to the homicide," he said.
He says, regardless of what the victim said or did, he must, and will, seek justice.
"If we have the elements of the crime, we are going to pursue it, not withstanding their station in life, who they are and what they do," Hiland said.
Both father and son are being held on half a million dollars bond. Neither has been formally charged, but both could ultimately be facing first-degree murder charges.
Of course, count on us to keep you updated.
Continuing Coverage:
Eighteen-year-old Chris Smith is being held on suspicion of first-degree murder. His father Stoney Cox was also arrested for abuse of a corpse, burglary and theft.
While the murder happened in Witts Springs in Searcy County, Monday the two men appeared in Faulkner County to face a judge for the very first time.
"It's devastating," said Prosecutor Cody Hiland, in regards to one family's loss.
Hiland is now vowing to get answers for a grieving family.
"What we can provide them is a small measure of justice, that's a poor substitute for the loss of the family member, our thoughts and prayers are with the family."
Hiland says he can't comment much.
But new details outlined in an arrest affidavit we got a hold of Monday, he says, speak for themselves.
The document relays exactly what Smith and Cox have told investigators since their neighbor, victim Eddie Covington, was last seen in November last year.
Specifically, the affidavit says on Jan. 10, investigators found the victim's guns, ammo, furniture and truck at Smith and Cox's home.
Then, the next day, investigators say Cox told them his son had shot the victim with a rifle, and then the two buried the body in a shallow grave, covered with large rocks.
Officers also say Smith admitted he had done the shooting, because the victim had made homosexual advances toward him.
But Hiland says this admitted motive may mean little.
"Obviously in most homicides there's a motive, I'm not concerned with that when it relates to the homicide," he said.
He says, regardless of what the victim said or did, he must, and will, seek justice.
"If we have the elements of the crime, we are going to pursue it, not withstanding their station in life, who they are and what they do," Hiland said.
Both father and son are being held on half a million dollars bond. Neither has been formally charged, but both could ultimately be facing first-degree murder charges.
Of course, count on us to keep you updated.
Continuing Coverage:
