Although he faces two counts of second degree murder and one count of robbery first degree, Anthony Whitehorn has received a bond reduction to $100,000.
Whitehorn received the bond reduction on Thursday, when he was scheduled for a preliminary hearing. The date for the hearing was rescheduled.
Whitehorn faces the charges of murder and robbery due to events that transpired during the afternoon of Tuesday, Jan. 9, that led to two people being shot allegedly as a result of a robbery attempt.
According to the probable cause affidavit filed at the Butler County Courthouse, Whitehorn had allegedly planned to rob someone with an accomplice. Whitehorn’s reported accomplice is one of two people who died as a result of the shooting.
Poplar Bluff Police Department has declined to release the names of the other parties involved.
The probable cause affidavit details an alleged plot between Whitehorn and one of the deceased to lure the second shooting victim to a room. According to the report, the other individual who plotted with Whitehorn was hiding behind a door and aimed a handgun at the victim and demanded money.
The victim was also armed with a handgun, police report, and both men shot at each other and fatally wounded each other.
Whitehorn allegedly fled the scene but was later identified and interviewed by police investigating the case. The affidavit states Whitehorn was recorded on video leaving the scene of the crime, and further investigation yielded physical evidence from the crime scene on Whitehorn’s clothing.
Arrested with Whitehorn was Stormy Ward, 18, of Poplar Bluff. Ward has officially been charged with hindering prosecution and tampering with physical evidence. According to the probable cause affidavit, Ward had been initially contacted by police when she transported Whitehorn back to the crime scene. Ward reportedly told police that she and Whitehorn had gone to St. Louis earlier in the day and returned in the afternoon.
The affidavit goes on to say further investigation yielded text messages between Ward and Whitehorn, and Ward allegedly advised Whitehorn to eliminate any evidence of his involvement with the day’s events. Ward’s cell phone also reportedly contained text messages to another, unnamed, party involved in the events.
Ward was arrested and surety bond of $75,000 was posted. Whitehorn remains in custody. Whitehorn is scheduled to appear for preliminary hearing on Thursday, Feb. 22; and Ward is scheduled to have her preliminary hearing on Thursday, Feb. 29.