Second Suspect Charged in Missouri Murder Case

A second suspect now faces murder charges for fatal shooting nearly 20 months ago in southeast Missouri.

The Daily Journal newspaper in Park Hills, Mo. reports that 24-year-old Tyson Fortner of Bismarck was charged with second-degree murder in the April 25, 2012, killing of 57-year-old Thomas Espy, a retired St. Louis sheet metal worker. Earlier, 24-year-old Zachary Clampitt of Park Hills was charged with first-degree murder.

Espy was sleeping on a couch at a family retreat near the Black River in Reynolds County when he was shot.

Bond of $1 million was set for both suspects.

Clampitt is already serving a seven-year sentence for assault on law enforcement and property damage. Fortner was already jailed on warrants for driving while suspended, shoplifting, and failure to appear in court.