Man charged with Doniphan murder

DONIPHAN, Mo. -- A Doniphan man remains in jail on $500,000 bond after being charged with fatally shooting another man early Saturday morning, the Daily American Republic reported. Thomas D. Cates, 27, was charged Saturday with first-degree murder and armed criminal action by Ripley County assistant prosecuting attorney Siegrid Smith Maness in the death of William R. Hamilton, 50. Cates, who is being held in the Doniphan City Jail, is to appear at 9 a.m. Aug. 26 for arraignment before Associate Circuit Judge Thomas D. Swindle.

An autopsy performed Sunday morning by Dr. Russell Deidiker at Mineral Area Regional Medical Center in Farmington determined Hamilton died of one gunshot wound to the head from a shotgun, according to Ripley County Coroner Mike Jackson.

Authorities learned of the incident at 5:24 a.m. Saturday when the Doniphan Police Department received a report of a shooting at a residence in the 200 block of Jackson Street.

When officers responded, they reportedly found Hamilton inside the residence dead from an apparent gunshot wound.

During the investigation, officers interviewed a witness, who reported Cates allegedly had shot Hamilton, according to the Chief Mark Rodgers' probable cause affidavit.

Cates, Rodgers said, voluntarily came to the police department to be interviewed.

"He actually came to the police department to give a statement," said Sgt. Joe Joiner. "We don't know if he knew we were considering him a suspect ... "

After being told of his rights, "Mr. Cates told investigators on the morning of Aug. 15, 2009, he went to Mr. Hamilton's residence to confront him about a matter," Rodgers explained. "Mr. Cates was upset with Mr. Hamilton about some personal issues."

Hamilton reportedly reacted in a "cocky and arrogant manner when confronted" by Cates.

"Mr. Cates was aware Mr. Hamilton kept a gun on the bed in his bedroom," Rodgers said. "(He) went to the bathroom, then went into Mr. Hamilton's bedroom and retrieved the gun."

Rodgers said Hamilton reportedly yelled at Cates because he was taking so long in the bathroom.

"Mr. Hamilton got up and began to walk to the bathroom," Rodgers said. "Mr. Cates circled around behind Mr. Hamilton, who had walked from the living room toward the bathroom.

"As Mr. Hamilton reached the bathroom and turned on the lights, Mr. Cates shot him two times."

Hamilton was in the doorway to the bathroom when he was shot, according to Joiner.

Cates, Rodgers said, left the residence with the gun, which belonged to Hamilton and "fled to a nearby residence, where he hid the weapon and his clothing."

Joiner described the residence as belonging to an acquaintance of Cates and someplace he stayed "off and on."

Investigators, Rodgers said, later recovered the weapon and Cates' clothing from the residence.

Joiner said the investigation is ongoing at this time, including officers looking into what the personal matter was and whether it was between Cates and Hamilton.