Bentonville man pleads not guilty to murder

BENTONVILLE — A Bentonville man pleaded not guilty Monday to a capital murder charge.

Glenn Thatcher, 44, made his plea at a Monday arraignment before Benton County Circuit Judge Robin Green.

Thatcher is accused of killing Robert Blau, whose body was found Feb. 1 in a building in Gateway.

Bill James, Thatcher’s attorney, requested a mental evaluation for his client. Green granted the request and suspended the proceedings pending the evaluation’s outcome.

The evaluation, which will be at Arkansas State Hospital, will determine Thatcher’s mental fitness to stand trial and his criminal responsibility, if any, at the time of the shooting.

A mental status hearing is scheduled for June 21.

Chelsea Yates, who was Thatcher’s roommate, told Bentonville police Thatcher told her he shot and killed Blau, according to the probable cause affidavit. Yates told officers Thatcher showed the pistol he claimed was used in the slaying, according to the affidavit.

Bentonville police provided the information to Benton County Sheriff’s Office deputies, who went to 20147 U.S. 62 in Gateway and found Blau’s body, according to the affidavit. Medics found a small bullet wound in Blau’s chest, according to the affidavit.

Steve Baker, Yates’ boyfriend, told police he overheard Thatcher tell Yates that he did a bad thing, according to the affidavit. Baker said he also saw Thatcher pull a gun from his jacket, the affidavit says.

Yates’ 11-year-old daughter was present and told police she saw Thatcher with the gun, according to the affidavit. The girl said she had seen Blau at the apartment earlier, the affidavit states.

Thatcher is being held without bail in the Benton County Jail. He faces a death sentence or life imprisonment without the benefit of parole if convicted of capital murder.

Thatcher