Judge denies bond for Corning slaying suspect

CORNING, Ark. -- James Dallas Qualls, 42, is being held without bond in connection with the fatal shooting of 32-year-old Kelly Denise Thatch.

Qualls, formerly of Scott City, appeared before District Judge Rick Rodery for arraignment Tuesday in Corning.

An acquaintance discovered Kelly Denise Thatch's body on her front porch in the Westwood Acres apartment building in Corning, the Clay County Sheriff's Department said.

Investigators believe the suspect shot Thatch at least twice with a .22 caliber rifle.

Police arrested Qualls in his apartment, also in Westwood Acres, that morning and found him asleep in bed with a .22 caliber rifle. Investigators allege the rifle is the murder weapon.

Qualls will reappear in Circuit Court Feb. 7.