’99 crossbow killer fought deputy for gun, filings say

BENTONVILLE — A Rogers man who was convicted as a teenager of killing his father with a crossbow has been arrested after fighting with a sheriff’s deputy for the deputy’s gun, authorities say.

The Benton County sheriff’s office deputy used his stun gun on Justin Trammell, 34, several times but was able to restrain Trammell only with the assistance of two other people, according to court documents filed Wednesday morning.

Trammell was arrested Monday on accusations of aggravated assault, battery, endangering the welfare of a minor, no child passenger restraint, criminal trespass, driving while intoxicated-drugs, reckless driving, resisting arrest and obstructing governmental operations.

The deputy, Darren Robertson, had gone to the scene of a car crash at 12946 Minch Springs Road in the Garfield area, according to a probable cause affidavit.

Robertson saw two girls on the ground and Trammell talking on a cellphone, according to the affidavit. He knelt down to care for the girls and then felt his gun being pulled on, according to court documents. Robertson pushed Trammell’s hand away, and Trammell continued to try to grab the gun, the affidavit said.

Robertson knocked him away by punching Trammell in the neck, according to the affidavit.

Trammell walked toward Robertson, and the deputy pulled his stun gun and told Trammell to get on the ground, the affidavit said. Trammell continued to approach Robertson, who fired the stun gun and hit Trammell in the chest, according to the affidavit.

Trammell went down but immediately got up and continued to approach Robertson while saying, “I’m Jesus Christ, and I have to get rid of the Devil,” according to the affidavit.

Robertson fired his stun gun twice more at Trammell, who continued toward the deputy while pulling the leads out, according to the affidavit. Robertson stunned Trammell again and then took him to the ground, where Trammell continued to try to get Robertson’s gun while Robertson continued to stun him, according to the affidavit.

Jack Sanders, a paramedic, and Adam Kinney, an Avoca firefighter, arrived and helped Robertson handcuff Trammell, according to the affidavit.

One of the girls was Trammell’s daughter and the other was his niece, according to court documents.

Trammell pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in June 2000 in Benton County Circuit Court for the Sept. 26, 1999, killing of his father, Mike Trammell Sr., 37, with a crossbow. Trammell was 15 years old when the incident occurred, and he served time in a juvenile facility before being placed on probation.

Trammell’s arraignment is scheduled for Aug. 13 in Karren’s court.