Oran police chief testifies at hearing of man who allegedly heard voices

BENTON, Mo. -- The Oran, Mo., police chief testified Wednesday to the seemingly delusional comments he said were made by a shotgun-wielding man he wrestled to the ground in May.

Chief Marc Tragesser said during John W. Melton's preliminary hearing that the defendant claimed to hear voices telling him to kill.

"'I know if I kill them, they'll go away,'" Tragesser said, quoting Melton, 57, of Oran, who is charged with felony assault of a law enforcement officer, unlawful use of a weapon and resisting arrest.

Tragesser responded to a call on Missouri Street in Oran on May 29. When he arrived, a woman told him that a man she did not know showed up wanting his guns, the chief said.

The man, Melton, stepped out onto a neighboring porch holding a loaded 12-gauge shotgun and speaking to himself, Tragesser said.

The chief said he stepped toward Melton, who turned around and pointed the gun at the officer.

Tragesser said he instinctively grabbed the shotgun and stopped Melton from pulling the trigger, which he said the defendant attempted to do.

The men struggled with the weapon before Tragesser was able to take Melton down to the ground and secure him, the chief testified. During the tussle, Tragesser continually told Melton to stop resisting while the defendant pleaded with the chief to let him kill someone to send the voices away.

"Just let me kill you. Don't you hear them?" Melton said, according to Tragesser.

Melton was originally admitted to a psychiatric center in St. Louis, but was released without police notification in late June, prompting the charges.

After the preliminary hearing, Associate Circuit Judge David Mann found probable cause in the case and ordered Melton to appear for arraignment Sept. 14.

Melton, who appeared in court in orange jail clothing, was being held in lieu of a $500,000 bond.

kmorrison@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 127