After victim dies, charges upgraded

SEARCY — Two men were being held without bail Thursday in the death of a 91-yearold man who was assaulted earlier this month, police said.

Edward Franklin Vaughn of Judsonia had been hospitalized since the attack April 10.

The White County sheriff’s office said Wednesday that Vaughn had died of his injuries and that his body was sent to the state Crime Laboratory for autopsy.

Tommy Trosper, 25, of Searcy and James “Jake” Miller, 21, of Griffithville were initially arrested on charges of kidnapping and second-degree battery. On Wednesday, the sheriff’s office said the men now face capital murder and kidnapping charges. Formal charges were expected to be filed by the prosecuting attorney’s office.

Trosper and Miller are to appear June 6 in White County Circuit Court.

The sheriff’s office has said Vaughn met the men after they asked about a car he had for sale.

“The victim followed the two suspects to another location where the suspects then bound his hands and assaulted him,” the sheriff’s office said.