Prosecutors say man caused woman’s death

BENTONVILLE — Prosecutors have charged a Siloam Springs man with manslaughter in connection with a woman’s death in his home.

Austin Grammer, 18, pleaded not guilty to the felony at his arraignment before Benton County Circuit Judge Brad Karren on Tuesday.

Grammer also is charged with rape, abuse of a corpse and tampering with physical evidence. He pleaded not guilty to those charges. Grammer is being held in the Benton County Jail on a $150,000 bond.

Police found Leslie Perry, 20, of Siloam Springs dead on Feb. 17 at 235 Meadow Court in Siloam Springs.

Grammer is accused of recklessly causing Perry’s death. He also is accused of engaging in sexual activity with Perry while she was physically helpless and incapable of consent, according to court documents.

Grammer is accused of knowingly physically mistreating Perry’s body in a manner offensive to a person of reasonable sensibilities. Grammar also is accused of altering or destroying evidence, according to court documents.

Grammar said Perry came to his apartment between 10 and 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 probable cause affidavit.

Grammer said he slept until 10: 45 a. m. and woke up to Perry’s ringing phone. He silenced the phone and said he was unsure if Perry was breathing then. He said he went back to sleep until 2 p.m. and checked on Perry around 3 p.m., according to the affidavit.

Surveillance video from Gas Station III and a sales receipt show Grammer purchased candy, condoms and an energy drink at 6:15 p.m., according to the affidavit.

He went home and cleaned for a while and finally called 911 around 9:30 p.m., according to the affidavit.

A bond hearing is set for 1:30 p.m. Aug. 16. A pretrial hearing is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Aug. 31.