Bonds raised to $1 million in Ala. murder case

Published 8:58 am Wednesday, March 10, 2010

 

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JASPER, Ala. (AP) — A judge has granted a motion to increase the bonds for two men charged with murder and robbery of a man whose dismembered body was found last week to $1 million.

Walker County District Judge Larry Lapkovitch granted a request by county officials on Tuesday to increase the bond for 32-year-old James David Hollie of Jasper and 39-year-old Brian Michael Smelley of Cordova from $30,000.

The victim, 63-year-old Richard Douglas Harris of Jasper, was reported missing Feb. 12. His car was found two days later, and his dismembered body was discovered Friday near Cordova.

Sheriff John Mark Tirey says investigations indicate Harris was shot and killed at a flea market in Boldo. The motion for increasing the bond says the dismemberment was part of an effort to cover up the crime.

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Information from: Daily Mountain Eagle, http://www.mountaineagle.com