Carter County Homicide Investigation

Another gruesome killing in our region.A family member finds 43-year-old Jimmy Freeze's body lying against a barbed wire fence, in Carter County.

[local resident]

how come a regular citizen doesn't count like a pulbic servant?

Jimmy's friends are wondering what happened to him? How come his

killer hasn't been apprehended?? Maybe this should be checked into

by someone other than the local law!!!!!!!

[Sir Rod Drabcley]

local resident wrote:

how come a regular citizen doesn't count like a pulbic servant?
Jimmy's friends are wondering what happened to him? How come his
killer hasn't been apprehended?? Maybe this should be checked into
by someone other than the local law!!!!!!!

Van Buren is known for its lack of motivation and corruption in law enforcement.

[Ashley]

It is truly sad that two murders occured in Van Buren less than six months apart. What I find even more sad is that the murders were not treated at all the same. While in one, hundreds of investigators from all over the nation came; the other was not met with the same seriousness or respect. Something is wrong with this picture. We are teaching our children that all men were not created equally.

[Tanna]

Yeah, too bad Jimmy's name wasn't TROOPER Jimmy GRAHAM! Then maybe he'd have some justice like the "almighty" Dewayne, who NO ONE around here could stand to look at.

[Dawn VB Mo]

Really! To all of the above comments

[VB MO]

First off, Jimmy was not murdered. The autopsy proved that. Second, the only people who did not like Dewayne were you low life scum of the earth people, who has no respect for law enforcement and what they do for you and your community. I pray that none of you ever experience a murder in your family, if you do, please, do not call the law, since we are such horrible people, leave us alone when you have a domestic issue over your drugs, or whatever illegal activities you are doing. Grow up, and have some respect for people and their families. None of you ever knew Dewayne on a personal basis anyway, so shut the hell up. People like you make me sick.

[General Moorehouse]

I have lived in Carter County MO most of my live, as have my ancestors. I feel I have a right to my opinion, and I respect the right of others to have their own beliefs, I may not agree with those opinions but each person should be able to express their feelings without being condemed. As far as I can tell, a lot of people make judgements and comments without being fully informed of the facts. I am not talking about any particular incident but generally speaking this seems to be a trend of people who are't busy enough and have too much time on their hands. This kind of person seems prone to jumping to conclusions with very little actual knowledge or verification of facts.
Carter County has had their problems with law enforcement and interpertation of the law. I have no answere as to why this occurs, I am sure there are a lot of opinions concerning this. All crime should be treated with the same priority. All people should have the same consideration. I have no personal knowledge of the Freeze death or the Graham crime nor did I know either person. I feel each of those people and their families should be treated with the same respect and consideration.

[carol freeze]

VB MO wrote:

First off, Jimmy was not murdered. The autopsy proved that. Second, the only people who did not like Dewayne were you low life scum of the earth people, who has no respect for law enforcement and what they do for you and your community. I pray that none of you ever experience a murder in your family, if you do, please, do not call the law, since we are such horrible people, leave us alone when you have a domestic issue over your drugs, or whatever illegal activities you are doing. Grow up, and have some respect for people and their families. None of you ever knew Dewayne on a personal basis anyway, so shut the hell up. People like you make me sick.

your comment was very uncalled for. I am the mother of Jimmy,I work for the Carter County Sheriff's Department. I knew Sgt. Graham personally liked him very much. The autopsy on Jimmy was undetermend it showed three stab wounds two inches deep but because they could not find the murder weapon AUTOPSY was undetermend. Please know what your talking about before your next comment.

[carol freeze]

I am the mother of Jimmy Freeze. First off Jimmy's death was undetermend. The autopsy showed three stab wounds. They could not find the murder weapon that is why it was undetermend.I also work for the Carter County Sheriff's Department. I knew Sgt. Graham personally and liked him very much.I also pray none of you ever experience a murder in your family. The next time you write a comment please know what you are talking about.

[CITIZEN]

You can't believe anything people write on these things. Never take it personal, none of them know what they are talking about.

[Carter county residetnt]

This isn't the same guy that was stabed near his groin... and blood all over the palce..... I may have the wrong guy.... but if he was stabed near his groin.. I would think that this guy wouldn't have done it his self!.. Could this be a case of the GOOD OLD BOYS covering up.. or the lack of training of the police?.. Who knows... If an Autopsy was performed... the family can get a copy and hire an outside sorce... If it is reprotable sorce and they have questions of a POSIABLE HOMICIDE you can go back to cort and have the body exhumed... The family has right to question his death...

as for Dewayne He was dedicated to his job and I know he would of investigated this thoraly!!!! he was Great servant to the citizen's of Carter county !!!(A civil servant or public servant is a civilian career public sector ... Collectively a state's civil servants form its Civil Service or Public Service)
I cant state what was found and what wasnt found on the autopsy... if the family has questioned his death.they can get a second oppion.. were all human AND DO MAKE MISTAKES (LOOK AT MY SPELLING!).... they have the right to take it all the way to the highest court in the nation..!

VB MO wrote:

First off, Jimmy was not murdered. The autopsy proved that. Second, the only people who did not like Dewayne were you low life scum of the earth people, who has no respect for law enforcement and what they do for you and your community. I pray that none of you ever experience a murder in your family, if you do, please, do not call the law, since we are such horrible people, leave us alone when you have a domestic issue over your drugs, or whatever illegal activities you are doing. Grow up, and have some respect for people and their families. None of you ever knew Dewayne on a personal basis anyway, so shut the hell up. People like you make me sick.

[gossip]

I think you are right Carter Co Resident, I think the rumor was that he was stabbed in the groin area, maybe it was just a rumor but thats what I heard about someone from there. But if it's the same case, the rumor also goes that he was messing around with someone's wife. Maybe that's just hearsay, but I do hope they find the killer or resolve the issue so at least the family may have some sort of peace. I wouldn't blame the law enforcement either. I don't think it's some big cover up, I would say they have worked hard to figure this out, and if we must blame anything maybe it should be lack of funding for smaller communities like this one. The cops in the area do keep up on training and most are more than dedicated to their job, and in reality I would say for the sake of working with his mother they would love to solve this one. Usually the Law enforcement is tight knit family, and I am sure that in some way they have all felt some kind of pain for this.

[1973Flap]

I think gossip's comments are spot on. Having lived in Carter County for a number of years myself, I know that people in that area keep to themselves/stay quiet and this makes investigation tough. Still have sources in the area and I too was told as was "gossip" that a woman was the cause. Also that Jimmy had bled a lot and the groin was what was damaged. Just my opinion but that level of mutilation indicates that Jimmy's killer both knew Jimmy and had MAJOR rage issues. In a town of only 814 people the sick monster who did this can't hide forever. My thoughts and prayers to Carol and Gary Freeze. My hopes and prayers to the Van Buren PD.

[KinFolks]

I had a close family member who was murdered in Carter County. That person claimed self defense. Maybe so, but many facts point to a revenge killing and a plan to get insurance money. Whatever, bottom line is...whether my relative was guilty of provocation or not, that didn't give anyone the right to take a life. The killer didn't serve a second behind bars. The killer was currently having an affair with the law enforcement officer who investigated the case. The killer was also related to the Sheriff and had family all over that county. My relative was from elsewhere in Missouri. To say that the law enforcement and courts of Carter County are corrupt is an understatement. Likewise in Shannon County. My personal feeling is, if a person live on the right side of the law, they don't have to worry about the corruption, unless they become an innocent victim in some unavoidable circumstance. My relative flirted with danger and was a law breaker. I was raised to respect the law and public officials, and I've tried hard to do that. At times it isn't easy because of specific behaviors of people in authority. I agree that 'who a person is', meaning their family's social and political standing in the community, matters and makes a huge difference on whether someone in those counties gets a fair shake in the courts and from law enforcement. I have seen very little justice administered in those two counties over my 50 some-odd years of life, some near and some from afar. I personally believe that the people in law enforcement should be investigated for their own illegal behavior. Talk about abuse of privilege and office! I'll get off my soap box...

[sumsummer]

I agree with kinfolks about the law enforcement in Carter County. It is a joke. No one seems to know how to act professionally or competently do their job duties. A teenager was injured at school a few days ago by 2 boys being bullies. She received a concussion and multiple contusions as well as a sprained ankle and the principal (Mr. Eric Allen) stated that this was just an accident because the boys were in a hurry. To add insult to injury the Sheriff's dept. would not send a deputy to their home to take a statement, they had to drive to Van Buren and file a report. Furthermore, several days later when no one from the sheriff's dept. returned the familys call, they called and spoke with Sheriff Melton himself, who said he didn't know what they incident they were referring to, no one had told him about the claims. WHY NOT? It had been days since the young woman had been in the hospital and had filed the claim against those 2 bullies.

[sumsummer]

More of the Sheriff's incompetence comes from a statement made regarding the boys who were accused in the hazing incident this past summer. According to the Arkansas sheriff's dept. Sheriff Melton himself told the lead investigator that all of the boys had gotten lawyers and they wouldn't be able to interview them. LIES, LIES, LIES. Not all of the kids even knew they were in trouble (because no one, NO ONE) had even contacted them to ask their side of the story regarding the accusations against them. WHY....BECAUSE OF MELTON and his inappropriate actions. It is called professional misconduct when someone improperly performs the duties of their profession such as Mr. Melton has. The list goes on and on................

[poordumdumsumsum mer]

sumsummer wrote:

More of the Sheriff's incompetence comes from a statement made regarding the boys who were accused in the hazing incident this past summer. According to the Arkansas sheriff's dept. Sheriff Melton himself told the lead investigator that all of the boys had gotten lawyers and they wouldn't be able to interview them. LIES, LIES, LIES. Not all of the kids even knew they were in trouble (because no one, NO ONE) had even contacted them to ask their side of the story regarding the accusations against them. WHY....BECAUSE OF MELTON and his inappropriate actions. It is called professional misconduct when someone improperly performs the duties of their profession such as Mr. Melton has. The list goes on and on..........

You need to speak with the Ar. Sheriff again because where ever you got your information is incorrect. Sheriff Melton never spoke with them about any of the subject having attorneys. Sheriff Melton done more than his fare share to try to help the victims, family members of ALL who were involved, including the alledged hazers. Everyone suffered in this. It didn't happen in CARTER COUNTY so why does everyone blame the law enforcement here? You need to understand that Carter County sheriff's office has three officers to cover 554 sq. miles of county. check the crime statistic's and you might understand why someone MIGHT have to go to the sheriff's office to fill out a statement. Nothing in MO. law states that they have to come to you, just to fill out a statement. it was an alleged crime that had already been commited. not one in progress! Sounds like you want to complain about things just because you can. our local law enforcement does the best they can with what they have to work with! You apparently don't like them for personal reasons. Also you need to know the Sheriff or the other Law Enforcement in the County does not make the laws nor do they prosecute them. They just gather data (so to speak) and submit everything to the PA for charges. Some times their hands are tied as well. If everyone wasn't "internet attorneys" and let the law do their jobs, Carter County would be a better place to live.

[poordumdumsumsum mer]

There are alot of laws in Carter County and the state of Mo. broken every day including "slandering ones reputations" and when it is in black and white YOU are held liable! Also has anyone heard of "internet harrasment" and the new law pertaining to them? I guess not! I'm sure everyone knows that these forums and silly names can be tracked right back to the VERY computer you are writing you comments on. ANY good Law Enforcment officer can tell you that. Even ones from Carter County! So everyone needs to get their fact straight! Yes you do have the right to voice your opions, but when you start using names and posting them in black and white and don't know the facts, you can and will be help liable. So far as Ms. sumsummer goes, I would be careful what you WRITE. and you wasn't complaining about Sheriff Melton when you needed him at YOUR home! Every heard the song "everyones coooler on line"? Thats you Ms. R. ;)

[poordumdumsumsum mer]

sumsummer wrote:

I agree with kinfolks about the law enforcement in Carter County. It is a joke. No one seems to know how to act professionally or competently do their job duties. A teenager was injured at school a few days ago by 2 boys being bullies. She received a concussion and multiple contusions as well as a sprained ankle and the principal (Mr. Eric Allen) stated that this was just an accident because the boys were in a hurry. To add insult to injury the Sheriff's dept. would not send a deputy to their home to take a statement, they had to drive to Van Buren and file a report. Furthermore, several days later when no one from the sheriff's dept. returned the familys call, they called and spoke with Sheriff Melton himself, who said he didn't know what they incident they were referring to, no one had told him about the claims. WHY NOT? It had been days since the young woman had been in the hospital and had filed the claim against those 2 bullies.

As most of you know, East Carter has their own officer at scholl and they don't have to call the sheriff on every incident. If everyone knew what kind of baggage these officers carry around with them on a daily basis you all would ask for forgiveness for ever blaming them for everything that goes wrong in your life's. They are your best friends when you want or need them, but let something not go your way or your listen to nasty roumors, Then is Law Enforcements fault! how awful and shame on you! I will pray for you and God bless.

[Robertson]

This is Randy and Christal Robertson I wanted all to know that the above posts are not from me. If we have something to say to any and all from Carter County we say it to your face. SO if you reference to Ms R :) is me you are completely wrong. Yes our daughter did get hurt at school, yes the boys will be held liable for her injuries. All should know that we do not use the internet to voice our concerns we tell you face to face.