Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Grammer’s bond set at $150,000 in woman’s death
BENTONVILLE — Austin Grammer told police he put an ear to Leslie Perry’s chest about 3 p.m. Feb. 17 and couldn’t hear a heartbeat, according to a probable cause affidavit released Friday.
Grammer, who faces a manslaughter charge in Perry’s death, said he sat around thinking what he should do and about 6 p.m. went to a convenience store near his home. A surveillance video from Gas Station III and a sales receipt show Grammer purchased sour gummy worms, condoms and an energy drink at 6:15 p.m., according to the affidavit.
The 18-year-old said he went home and cleaned for a while, according to the affidavit, and finally called 911 around 9: 30 p.m.
Police found Perry, 20, of Siloam Springs dead when they arrived about 10 p.m. at 235 Meadow Court in Siloam Springs, according to Siloam Springs Police Department news release.
Grammer, also of Siloam Springs, was arrested Wednesday in connection with rape, abuse of a corpse, manslaughter and
tampering with physical evidence. Prosecutors haven’t filed any formal charges against him.
Benton County Circuit Judge Robin Green said Friday probable cause exists to hold Grammer in the Benton County Jail on $150,000 bond, the amount requested by Stuart Cearley, chief deputy prosecutor.
Green said she read the probable cause affidavit and believes the case against Grammer is strong.
Scott McElveen, deputy public defender, asked Green to set a more reasonable bond. Grammer said he had $250 and could possibly raise up to $ 2,000 toward bond.
Green stayed with the $150,000 bond and also ordered Grammer not to have any contact with Perry’s family.
Grammer told Green during his probable cause hearing he moved from Sherwood to Siloam Springs three years ago. He said he was born and raised in Arkansas in response to questions from McElveen. Grammer said his father, stepmother, sister and brother-in-law live in the area.
Grammer told police Perry was his friend and he was going to ask her to be his girlfriend, according to the fivepage probable cause affidavit, which was redacted before its release. Green ordered a redacted affidavit be released, so many passages in it were blacked out.
Grammer told police he
found Perry on Feb. 17 after he returned from work, but he later admitted he didn’t get to work that day, according to the affidavit.
Grammer said Perry came to his apartment between 10 to 11 p.m. Feb. 16, and they slept the entire night. Grammer said he woke up around 7:45 a.m. Feb. 17. He said Perry was snoring, according to the affidavit.
Grammer said he slept until 10:45 a.m. and woke up to Perry’s ringing phone, according to the affidavit. He silenced the phone and said he was unsure if Perry was breathing then. He went back to sleep until 2 p.m., he said, and around 3 p.m. checked on Perry, according to the affidavit.
Grammer’s arraignment is scheduled for 8 a.m. April 3 in Green’s courtroom.