NEOSHO, Mo. — Danny Thomas pleaded not guilty Monday in an arraignment in Newton County Division of Circuit Court. He is charged with first degree murder for the Tuesday, July 26, shooting death of Darrell Bone.

“This was just his first appearance,” Jake Skouby, prosecuting attorney, said. “I’m sure they’ll look at his mental state.”

Thomas, 60, previously appeared for probable cause Monday, Sept. 5, and was bound over to Circuit Court.

Bone, 54, of Stella, Mo., and formerly of Pea Ridge, owned the farm on which Thomas was living. Bone had sold the farm and went to the residence to tell Thomas to vacate.

On Wednesday, July 27, Thomas told David Bunch of Neosho that he had shot Bone the night before and then driven around all night in Bone’s truck.

Newton County Sheriff Ken Copeland and Chief Deputy Chris Jennings went to the residence and found Bone’s body in the back yard.

Thomas remains in the Newton County Jail in lieu of a $500,000 cash only bond.

News, Pages 1 on 09/14/2011