James Thompson Jr., (Hall County Department of Corrections, Courtesy)
GRAND ISLAND – An Ohio man accused of fatally stabbing a Missouri man and seriously stabbing the Missouri man’s wife pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity Oct. 22 in Hall County District Court.
James D. Thompson, Jr., 22, of Elyria, Ohio, was charged Thursday, June 20, with 11 felonies including first-degree murder in the stabbing death of a Missouri man and severe stabbing of his wife at the westbound Interstate 80 rest area at mile marker 316.
Thompson was charged with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, five counts of using a deadly weapon to commit a felony, first-degree assault, two counts of attempted robbery, and operating a motor vehicle to avoid arrest (willfully reckless).
He was attempting to steal a Jeep that was being pulled behind an RV camper.
Gary Weaver, 72, of Eureka, Mo., was pronounced dead at the hospital. His wife, Mary Weaver, 71, suffered life-threatening injuries and was in critical condition at the hospital, according to the Hall County Sheriff. She was later released from the hospital.
Upon arrest, a knife was found on Thompson with what appeared to be blood residue on it along with a blue shirt that had blood on it. Thompson had several cuts on his hand.
While processing the scene at the rest area, it was observed that the Jeep had been detached from the camper. “What appeared to be blood was observed on the outside of the Jeep.”
Thompson will have a status hearing at 8:30 a.m. Dec. 17. His attorney is Deputy Public Defender Jeff Loeffler. Hall County Attorney Marty Klein is the prosecuting attorney. Hall County District Judge Andrew Butler is presiding in the case.