$5 Million Bond for Second Suspect Charged in Christmas Eve State Street Homicide

JONESBORO, Ark. — Jonesboro police have charged a second suspect in the Christmas Eve homicide on State Street, according to information released by investigators.

Officers said they developed another suspect who was already in custody at the Craighead County Detention Center, then established probable cause and charged him on Wednesday with first-degree murder and aggravated residential burglary.

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Police identified the newly charged suspect as Jodarrius Dority. On Friday, a $5 million bond was set for Dority by Judge Barbara Halsey.

Christmas Eve murder

The new arrest updates the case that previously led to charges against Mario Jashon Stafford, who was arrested and charged with first-degree murder, aggravated residential burglary and a parole violation, according to court records.

In a probable-cause affidavit filed in the case, investigators said officers were dispatched around 3:20 a.m. on Dec. 24 to the 300 block of State Street after a 911 caller reported a man had been shot. Officers found the victim inside the residence with a gunshot wound. He was later pronounced dead, the affidavit states.

Investigators wrote that witness statements and surveillance footage indicate a suspect entered the residence, pointed a pistol at the victim and fired a single shot. The affidavit states the projectile struck the victim in the side and exited the right side of his body.

Detectives said surveillance reviewed during the investigation placed Stafford in a blue Chevrolet Malibu outside the residence shortly before the shooting. The affidavit states RTIC footage showed the vehicle moving through nearby streets and parking lots and captured a second individual inside the Malibu with Stafford at one point.

Investigators wrote that the Malibu returned to the area, and footage showed an individual walking near the location where the car had been parked, using a cellphone before moving south between buildings. Moments later, witnesses told police the suspect approached the victim’s apartment, crossed the threshold and fired the fatal shot, according to the affidavit.

The affidavit states the Malibu pulled away from State Street around 3:19 a.m. and that roughly 10 seconds later the shooter was seen running from the apartment complex heading south.

Based on the timeline and surveillance evidence, investigators concluded Stafford had prior knowledge of the crime and assisted in transporting and positioning the shooter, according to the affidavit.

All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.