Man accused of killing three pleads innocent

SALEM, Mo. -- A man charged with killing a deputy sheriff and two other people has pleaded innocent.

Earl Forrest II, 53, was arraigned Tuesday in Circuit Court in Salem.

Forrest pleaded innocent to three counts of first-degree murder, assault of a law enforcement officer, four counts of armed criminal action, and drug possession.

The charges stemmed from incidents on Dec. 9, 2002.

Police were investigating the shooting deaths of Harriet Smith, 51, of Salem, and Michael Wells, 41, of Licking.

Dent County Deputy Sheriff Sharon Joanne Barnes, 48, and Sheriff Bob Wofford were shot as they arrived at Forrest's home to question him about the slayings, the Missouri State Highway Patrol has said.

Barnes died at a St. Louis hospital. The sheriff was treated and released.

A shootout ensued after the law enforcement officials came under fire. Forrest and a friend were hit, but both recovered.

Forrest was charged with the deaths of Barnes, Smith and Wells.

Authorities have said the shooting of Smith appeared to be drug related, but they believe Wells apparently was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Police found a large amount of methamphetamine inside Forrest's home in the town 130 miles southwest of St. Louis, according to court documents.