Suspect arraigned in slayings of sheriff's deputy, two others

SALEM, Mo. -- A Salem man was arraigned Wednesday on charges related to last week's slayings of a Dent County sheriff's deputy and two other people in south-central Missouri.

Earl Forrest II, 53, remained jailed without bond on nine criminal charges, including three first-degree murder counts related to the Dec. 9 shootings.

Killed were Dent County sheriff's deputy Sharon Joann Barnes, 48, Harriet S. Smith, 51, of Salem, and Michael R. Wells, 41, of Licking.

Sheriff Bob Wofford was grazed by the bullet but was not seriously wounded.

Forrest also is charged with first-degree assault of a law enforcement officer, four counts of armed criminal action and possession of a controlled substance.

Authorities said Forrest first killed Smith and Wells as part of a drug dispute, then shot Barnes and Wofford as they investigated the killings. Barnes died the next day.

Forrest's next court appearance has been set for Jan. 13.