First-Degree Murder Charge in Southeast Missouri Killing

A southeast Missouri man faces arraignment Wednesday on first-degree murder charges for an attack that killed a man and badly injured a woman.

The Southeast Missourian reports that 32-year-old William Pickard of Poplar Bluff is also charged with first-degree assault, armed criminal action and tampering with a motor vehicle. He is jailed on $750,000 cash-only bond and does not yet have an attorney.

Bollinger County Sheriff Darin Shell says the attack happened Friday night at a home near Marble Hill. A neighbor heard shots and found 31-year-old Joshua Sharar on the ground with a knife in his torso. Next to him was 31-year-old Vickie Williams, who was critically injured. Both had been shot and stabbed several times.

Pickard was arrested a short time later after a chase.