Suspects in Dunklin County stabbing murder free on bond

KENNETT, Mo. -- Two individuals arrested in late January in connection with the stabbing death of a man on East Fifth Street in Kennett remain free on a total of $120,000 in surety bonds as they await another day in court.

Max Arnold, 26, of Caruthersville, Mo., posted a $100,000 surety bond in order to be released from the Dunklin County Justice Center after allegedly assaulting and then stabbing a man to death at a party following what started as a verbal altercation.

The victim, Phillip Jarvas, 32, of Sullivan, Mo., was found lying under the carport of a neighboring home on Fifth Street the morning after the assault, Jan. 27, by the residents of the home, who claimed they had no idea who the dead man was.

"It was apparent the man suffered a stab wound to the chest," Kennett police chief Barry Tate said in January after the initial investigation. "We also concluded he had suffered some type of blunt-force trauma to the head."

After recovering a knife near the scene, police determined that it was the murder weapon.

Investigation led authorities to Arnold and his then-girlfriend, Shelon Skelton, 30, of Gobler, Mo., formerly of Senath, Mo.

Witnesses alleged that Jarvas had been seen at a party arguing with Arnold, who first hit Jarvas over the head with a beer bottle and then proceeded to stab him as the altercation intensified and continued outside the residence where the party was taking place.

Witnesses also told police that following the stabbing, Arnold and Skelton fled the scene.

Investigators used the information provided by several witnesses throughout the area to locate the suspect couple in Senath, where they were brought in for questioning.

According to initial police reports, when questioned, Arnold told police that he remembered pulling out a knife during his second fight with Jarvas.

Arnold was later charged with second-degree murder, armed criminal action and assault in the first degree. Skelton was also charged with tampering with physical evidence, because police say she intentionally interfered with the investigation by washing Arnold's clothing, which contained blood and other possible DNA evidence as a result of the altercation.

Skelton was incarcerated with Arnold at the Dunklin County Justice Center, but later posted a $20,000 surety bond to get out of jail.

The surety bonds made between Arnold, Skelton, and their bond agent has allowed both suspects to be released from the justice center until they are convicted or found to be not guilty of the alleged crimes.

Arnold most recently appeared in court on June 3 and waived his right to a preliminary hearing, according to Dunklin County assistant prosecuting attorney Jonce Chidister.

Arnold's next appearance in court is set for Wednesday before Judge Stephen Sharp, where an arraignment will take place.

Chidister said Skelton also previously appeared in court on June 20 before Judge John Spielman who found probable cause against her in connection with her charges.

Skelton's arraignment has been scheduled for 10 a.m. July 23.