Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Murder suspect held without bond in jail
BENTONVILLE — A judge ordered a Rogers man suspected of killing his girlfriend be held without bond in the Benton County Jail.
Kev in Wayne Clayborn, 49, was arrested last week in connection with capital murder and theft of property. Prosecutors haven’t filed formal charges against him.
Clayborn made his first court appearance Wednesday afternoon for a bond hearing before Benton County Circuit Judge Brad Karren.
Benton County Prosecutor Nathan Smith requested Clayborn be held without bond, citing the nature of the crime and the seriousness of the charges.
Jay Saxton, Benton County’s chief public defender, represented Clayborn and requested a $100,000 bond be set in the case.
“He will be living in this area,” Saxton said. “He would not leave the state of Arkansas.”
Misha Rivera, 48, died as result of trauma to her head and strangulation, according to a probable cause affidavit in the case.
Rogers police began investigating her death May 5 after her family members found her body in her home, according to court documents.
One person told police he read a passage in Rivera’s journal about Clayborn having a strange look in his eyes and pushing her, according to the affidavit. Police found the journal in Rivera’s home, but one page had been torn from it, according to court documents.
One of Rivera’s vehicles was missing from her home and later found in Van Buren, said Keith Foster, Rogers Police Department spokesman.
One of Clayborn’s former girlfriends told police he came to her home between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m. May 4 and said he needed to go to Oklahoma City to be with his daughter who was going to be placed in a mental hospital, according to the affidavit.
The woman drove Clayborn to a convenience store near where she believes his former wife lives, according to the affidavit.
Members of the Oklahoma City Fugitive Task Force watched for Clayborn at an apartment complex and arrested him last week.
The judge gave Smith and Saxton 24 hours to review the affidavit for bond in order for a redacted version to be released.
Clayborn’s arraignment is scheduled for 8: 30 a. m. June 25 in Karren’s court.