Arkansas man arrested for murder in Pemiscot County

HAYTI HEIGHTS, Mo. -- A Pemiscot County resident found a dead body Tuesday morning at the rear of his farm shop just west of Hayti Heights, leading to the filing of murder charges.

According to county authorities, after making the discovery, the person who discovered the body notified police, who immediately responded to the scene.

Upon arrival, investigators found Albert Lynn Harper, 64, of Paragould, Ark., died due to what appeared to be blunt force trauma to his head, according to Sheriff Tommy Greenwell.

Greenwell said police were able to determine the victim's identity because he had been arrested early Tuesday morning during a traffic stop.

After reviewing the scene and Harper's injuries, investigators believed the head injury had been inflicted during some kind of altercation but were unsure of what type of weapon had been used.

Upon launching its investigation, the Pemiscot County Sheriff's Department contacted the Missouri State Highway Patrol's Division of Drug and Crime Control and the Hayti Police Department, which assisted in interviewing those who may have last seen Harper before his death.

"During the course of the interviews, a suspect was developed and later questioned," Greenwell said.

Meanwhile, Harper's body was sent to Mineral Area Regional Medical Center in Farmington, Mo., where an autopsy determined Harper had also received multiple stab wounds to the chest.

At the police station, the questioning of key suspect Joseph W. Harden, 41, of Hazen, Ark., led to the filing of first-degree murder charges.

Harden was also charged with four counts of armed criminal action, one count of first-degree robbery and tampering with physical evidence.

According to investigators, evidence has been collected to substantiate Harden's involvement in the murder.

Investigators also claim to have collected enough evidence to support the allegation that Harden's brother, Glen Alan Harden, 38, of Campbell, Mo., was also involved.

He has been charged with hindering prosecution in connection with the case.

Joseph Harden is to appear in court today and is being held in the Pemiscot County Justice Center on no bond.

Glen Harden is being held on $20,000 bond at the Dunklin County Justice Center.

Other agencies assisting with the investigation included the Dunklin County Sheriff's Department and Kennett Police Department.