A Lincoln man accused of killing an area resident earlier this month is scheduled to appear for a case hearing on Tuesday, January 23.
According to a post on the Benton County Sheriff’s Department’s Facebook page, on January 12, the agency was notified of a possible shooting victim at a mobile home park just outside the city limits of Lincoln, where deputies discovered 27-year-old Caleb Shephard outside the residence with an apparent gunshot wound to the abdomen. Deputies and E.M.S. personnel provided aid on-site, but Shephard reportedly later died from his injuries.
After the initial investigation, 21-year-old William Heffernan, the resident of the mobile home was arrested.
According to online court documents, Heffernan has been charged with a Class A Felony for Murder in the Second Degree; a Class E Felony for Tampering with Physical Evidence in a Felony Prosecution; and an Unclassified Felony for Armed Criminal Action. Bond has been set at $100,000 cash or surety.
Heffernan reportedly appeared for an arraignment hearing and entered a plea of not guilty on January 16, where his cause has been continued for another hearing at 9 a.m. at Benton County Circuit Court in Warsaw.