Little River County man acquitted of murder in shooting case

ASHDOWN, Ark. — A Little River County man has been acquitted of first-degree murder.

Walter Richard Duermit Jr., 67, was charged in the shooting death of his live-in girlfriend’s son. A Little River County jury returned a not-guilty verdict Wednesday after two days of testimony in a trial in 9th West Judicial Circuit Court.

Judge Tom Cooper presided.

Duermit was represented by criminal defense attorney Clayton Tinkes of Ashdown.

Prosecuting attorneys Alwin Smith and Tisha Martin represented the state.

At 10:30 p.m. July 26, 2022, Carla Trowler, who lives on Little River County Road 170, called the Sheriff’s Office to report that Duermit shot her son, Joshua Yeager, 37, according to the probable cause affidavit. Deputies arrested Duermit at the scene without incident.

On July 27, Sgt. Jonathon Butler interviewed Duermit, who said Yeager came into his room “yelling at him and threatening him,” according to the affidavit. Duermit reportedly said Yeager was unarmed when he entered the room.

According to the affidavit, Duermit said he then got off the bed, retrieved a gun and shot Yeager one time.

Duermit was released from the Little River County jail in October 2023 on a $250,000 bond, according to court records.