Man held on $500,000 bond for murder

BENTONVILLE — A Bella Vista man is being held in the Benton County Jail on $500,000 bond in connection with the stabbing death of a woman.

Leon Louis Lincoln Jr., 40, was arrested Saturday in connection with murder in the first degree, a Class Y felony punishable with a prison sentence ranging from 10 to 40 years or life imprisonment.

Theresa Voshell, 46, formerly of Gentry, died Saturday at Mercy Hospital in Rogers after suffering multiple stab wounds, according to Bella Vista police.

Police were called at 6:17 a.m. to 12 Thaxted Drive. Voshell was staying at the house. Lincoln lived in the house with relatives, but Voshell was not related to him, according to Capt. Tim Cook of the Bella Vista Police Department.

Lincoln appeared in court Monday morning for a bond hearing where Circuit Judge Robin Green found probable cause existed to hold Lincoln on the murder charge. Lincoln’s right hand was bandaged.

Benton County Prosecutor Van Stone requested bond be set at $500,000. Chief Public Defender Jay Saxton, who stood in with Lincoln for the hearing, toldGreen that Lincoln would not be able to make the $500,000 or any bond. Saxton said a parole hold may be placed on Lincoln to prevent his release from jail even if he could post the bond. Saxton suggested bond be set at $100,000.

Stone also told the court Lincoln had a substantial criminal history. Stone also said the local parole office would place a hold on Lincoln.

Lincoln’s arraignment is scheduled for 8 a.m. Oct. 29. Prosecutors have not filed a formal charge against Lincoln.

According to court documents, Lincoln’s sister, Rebecca Henson, called Bella Vista to report Lincoln had stabbed Voshell in the neck. Henson told police she had not seen anything, but had heard yelling and found Voshell unconscious and bleeding. Henson told police Lincoln was in the street, according to court documents.

Lincoln and Voshell lived in the Thaxted Drive house with Henson and others, according to court documents.

Cpl. Bryan Whitehead, a Bella Vista police officer, was first on the scene and found Lincoln sitting in the road in the front of the residence, according to an affidavit of probable cause. Whitehead saw Lincoln’s right hand and armwere covered with blood, the affidavit states.

Police found Henson holding Voshell in a room on the second floor. Voshell was covered in blood and had extensive cuts on her face and throat, according to the affidavit.

Whitney Bean told police it was not unusual for Voshell and Lincoln to argue. She told police Lincoln was intoxicated hours earlier, but she did not see anything out of the ordinary between Lincoln and Voshell.

Derek Bean told police Lincoln and Voshell “are alcoholics and get drunk about every three days and argue,” the affidavit states.

Dominga Cecilia Fitch, another occupant, told police she heard Voshell and Lincoln laughing in Voshell’s bedroom, but she did not see them, according to the court documents. Fitch suspected they were drunk, the affidavit states.

Tim Henson said he woke up between 3:30 and 4 a.m. Saturday and talkedto Voshell and Lincoln, according to court documents. Voshell was drinking vodka and Lincoln was drinking Hot Damn, the affidavit states. Tim Henson said he went back to bed and Voshell and Henson were not arguing, the affidavit states.

Tim Henson said he was later awakened by Voshell yelling for help, and he went into the room and found an injured Voshell, the affidavit states. Tim Henson told his wife, Rebecca, to call police, the affidavit states.

Voshell and Lincoln were taken to Mercy Hospital. Voshell died at the hospital and police arrested Lincoln at the hospital.

Besides living in the same home, the affidavit did not specify the extent of Lincoln and Voshell’s relationship. The affidavit states Lincoln had a separate bedroom.

Police recovered the knife they believe was used to kill Voshell, the affidavit states.

Lincoln asked a paramedic about Voshell and told the paramedic Voshell was a friend from school and he did not really know anything about her other than she drinks and she isan alcoholic, according to court documents.

Lincoln’s Past

The probable cause affidavit states Bella Vista police arrested Leon Louis Lincoln Jr. on July 23, 2010, for commercial burglary in connection with a break-in at United Lutheran Church. Lincoln pleaded guilty to breaking or entering on March 2, 2011, and was sentenced to six years in the Arkansas Department of Correction. Lincoln has been convicted of numerous other felonies, according to court documents.

Source: Staff Report