Newport Police have arrested a man they say stabbed his fiancée and the Jackson County Justice of the Peace who was to marry the couple.
According to a release from the Newport Police Department, officers responded to an assault on Lakeside Lane on Monday, May 20, and found Jacqueline Stobaugh, 42, with stab wounds. The suspect, identified as Tadd Gates, 30, of Newport, fled on foot after being located by officers. After a chase through the neighborhood, Gates returned to the residence and barricaded himself inside.
While officers attempted to communicate with Gates, they learned a local 77-year-old Justice of the Peace, who was not identified in the release, had also been assaulted and was at a hospital.
The Justice of the Peace had been at the residence to marry Gates and Stobaugh.
According to the release, officers introduced gas into the residence, leading to Gates’ surrender. He was arrested without incident and taken to the Jackson County Jail on a probable cause hold for multiple charges, including attempted capital murder.
Stobaugh was treated and released from a local hospital. The Justice of the Peace was transferred to another hospital for advanced care.
Newport Police thanked Arkansas State Police officers for their assistance.
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