$200,000 bond set in Pottsville homicide

A $200,000 commercial bond was ordered on Enoch Easter of Pottsville after he was accused of shooting and killing Pottsville resident Harry Harshberger at his home on Bud Chesney Road on Wednesday, July 18. Easter appeared before District Judge Don Bourne during his bond hearing on Friday, July 20.

Lt. Timothy Overturf responded to the call at approximately 9:31 p.m. on July 18. Upon his arrival, he saw two white males handcuffed and being put into two police units. Russellville Police Department and the Pope County Sheriff's Department were already on scene, according to Overturf in his report.

Overturf spoke with Sgt. David Bevis of the Russellville police, who reported that Easter, the suspect, said Harshberger had been fighting with Mrs. Harshberger, who was on the ground. He said Easter shot Harshberger with a gun he had stolen from his father's residence at Trailer Place in Pottsville.

Detective Sgt. Rowdy Sweet of the Pope County Sheriff's Department arrived on the scene and assisted Overturf and Officer Smith of the Pottsville Police Department in collecting evidence.

Taped statements were later taken from Mrs. Harshberger, as well as James Reed and Angela Meaux, both residents of the home where the shooting occurred. Russell Easter, Enoch's father, also confirmed that his gun was missing and he gave a description matching that of the gun taken at the scene.

On Thursday, July 19, one day after the shooting, Harshberger's residence burned. No one was home at the time of the fire, which began around 9:30 or 10 p.m., according to Overturf.

Pottsville, Russellville and Atkins fire departments responded to the call. Pottsville Police Department has asked the Arkansas State Police to assist in the investigation of the fire. The cause of the fire is still unknown.

 

 

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