OZARK, Mo. – A former Missouri pastor posted a $30,000 surety bond on Tuesday and is under house arrest awaiting trial for a 2022 murder.
The Christian County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office charged Matthew Dedmon with first-degree murder and armed criminal action for killing Joe Newburn.
According to the Ozark Police Department, the murder took place just before 12:50 p.m. on Saturday, May 28, 2022, in the 100 block of W. Church Street.
Officers arrived to find Newburn laying in the roadway. He’d been shot multiple times. Newburn was rushed to a local hospital but was pronounced dead. He was 57.
Dedmon was taken into custody at the scene. Investigators said Dedmon shot Newburn because he suspected the victim was allegedly having an affair with Dedmon’s wife.
In the summer of 2024, Christian County Circuit Court set Dedmon’s trial date for March 3-14, 2025.
On Oct. 1, 2024, the judge set Dedmon’s bond at $30,000 after speaking with both the defense and prosecution. The terms of the bond stipulate Dedmon must always wear a GPS device and will remain under house arrest until trial. He is only allowed to leave his residence for court dates or medical emergencies.
