Arson suspect faces additional charges in Cedar County

Thursday, March 20, 2008

A Stockton man accused of setting a fire inside a Nevada woman's home was released today from the Vernon County jail on his own recognizance so he could be transferred to Stockton Court and face nine other criminal charges.

Patrick Ellis, 30, was granted a release from his $50,000 cash-only bond Thursday afternoon during a pre-trial hearing by 28th Circuit Judge Neal Quitno, only to be transferred across the Cedar County line, where a $100,000 bond awaited him.

Ellis was arrested after he allegedly shoved a number of Kandi Evans' personal belongings into her home's fireplace and lighted them on fire, Jan. 25.

Fire crews who responded to the call found significant smoke damage to the residence and a large amount of Evans' property, including photos and clothing that was destroyed by the fire.

Police reported finding Evans in her front yard, coughing and gasping for air, after trying to extinguish the flames herself.

She reportedly told officers that an argument between herself and Ellis got out of hand and resulted in the incident.

Evans told police that Ellis fled the scene heavily intoxicated in his vehicle, a 1989 two-tone blue pickup truck.

Within three hours of this incident, Ellis was pulled over by Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper Larry Stoddard, just south of Stockton on Highway 39, after he was scene driving in what appeared to be an intoxicated manner.

Ellis was shot in the abdomen by Stoddard after he reportedly charged the trooper and became dangerously aggressive during the traffic stop. Stoddard said he was forced to shoot the suspect after he became combative and all other efforts to contain him failed.

Stoddard spent five days on administrative leave after the shooting while the MSHP conducted an investigation, but returned to work immediately after.

Ellis spent a little longer than a week at Citizens Memorial hospital in Bolivar before being released into the custody of Vernon County Sheriff's Office Feb. 4, for the charge of second degree arson.

Ellis was transported Thursday to the Cedar County Sheriff's office where he will be held pending 28th Circuit Judge Joseph Phillips' decision regarding nine other charges including; assault on a law enforcement official, driving without a license, failure to stop or obey law enforcement, driving while intoxicated, resisting arrest, failure to drive on the right side of the roadway and driving an unregistered vehicle from the night of Jan. 26, plus two additional charges of driving while intoxicated and failure to drive on the right side of the roadway from Nov. 12, 2007.

All charges against Ellis in Cedar County are misdemeanors with the exception of the class C felony, Assault on a law enforcement official which holds penalties of up to 7 years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

Ellis is scheduled to appear in Cedar County Court, March 26, and again in Vernon County Court on, April 1, both for a preliminary hearing.

Vernon County Prosecuting Attorney Lynn Ewing said Thursday that two of his key witnesses failed to appear at the court date leaving him with little choice but to continue the trial.

Judge Quitno said Ellis will be required to appear at his April court date in Nevada no matter what Cedar County courts decide between now and then.

Ellis could face up to 18 years in prison and over $14,000 in fines if found guilty of all crimes with which he is currently charged.

Respond to this story

Posting a comment requires free registration: