Posted on 02/29/2004 8:39:18 PM PST by WKB
Edited on 02/29/2004 10:18:55 PM PST by Admin Moderator. [history]
Thread # 2
ADDED PER REQUEST
TAYLORSVILLE, Miss. (AP) -- After two days of intensive searching, investigators say they've exhausted any hope of finding the missing Yazoo County family near the property of a relative suspected in the case.
"We've done everything we can do here," State Highway Patrol spokesman Warren Strain said. "We've exhausted all the information we have developed regarding this site and the buildings on it."
Investigators had been searching near the 160-acre property of Earnest Lee Hargon. Strain said Hargon will be arraigned Monday in Yazoo County on multiple felony charges. Hargon was charged Sunday in Smith County with a drug and firearms violation.
Hargon is a suspect in the disappearance of Michael and Rebecca Hargon and their 4-year-old son, James Patrick.
Strain said prosecutors in Yazoo County will continue with their case against Earnest Hargon.
"Not being able to locate the Hargon family will have zero effect on going forward with the charges," Strain said.
Strain said there was "a laundry list" of possible charges that could be filed in Yazoo County, but declined to specify any of them.
Authorities have not said whether they believe the family members are still alive. Blood and spent bullet casings were discovered at the family's home in Yazoo County. Investigators have not found a .22-caliber weapon that apparently was fired in the home.
Earnest Hargon, an adopted cousin of Michael Hargon, was named in a single charge of possession of methamphetamines while also in possession of a firearm. Hargon was carrying less than an ounce of the drug, authorities said Sunday. The firearm is an AR-15 assault rifle, which Strain said could be converted into an automatic weapon.
Strain said possible evidence was found Saturday at Hargon's property in Smith County but would not elaborate.
Investigators also have been checking a piece of land that Michael Hargon recently inherited from his uncle, Charles Hargon, to determine if it is linked to the disappearance, said Jennifer Hargon, Michael's sister. Earnest Hargon, Charles Hargon's adopted son, was not included in the will, she said.
Strain said the Madison County property is a consideration in the case, but not necessarily a motive.
"It could be a potential motive, but it's not the only one," Strain said, adding that other evidence collected in the searches has linked Hargon to the family's disappearance. He declined to elaborate.
Smith County Sheriff Charlie Crumpton said an arraignment for Hargon had not been set on the drug and weapons charge, but he said it would occur before Wednesday.
Earnest Hargon was being still being held in an undisclosed location.
No big developments emerged on Sunday, although Crumpton said significant progress had been made.
Several people were questioned but were not detained, Strain said.
Lisa Ainsworth, the wife of Earnest Hargon, has been questioned at least twice, Strain said. When asked whether she provided evidence against Earnest Hargon, Strain declined to comment.
Authorities closed off a county road on both sides of Leaf River Veterinary Services. The clinic is on Earnest Hargon's property and his wife works there as a veterinarian, Strain said.
The search area included the clinic, Earnest Hargon's residence, several other buildings and the banks of the nearby Leaf River, Strain said.
Earnest Hargon's brother-in-law, John Ainsworth, 24, described Hargon as an outgoing guy not capable of kidnapping a family. He said the investigation has been hard on his sister, Lisa Ainsworth, who has been happily married to Earnest Hargon for almost eight years.
"It's really a surprise," John Ainsworth said of the speculation of Earnest Hargon's possible involvement in the family's disappearance. "She (Lisa) is dealing with it. It's been pretty hard on her."
Taylorsville Mayor Ron Walker said Lisa Ainsworth, tends to the animals on his farm and he has met Earnest Hargon, who he called "quiet and cordial."
"Lisa is the vet in town. She and her family are well known," Walker said. "Her family is well-respected hardworking people. I'm sorry they're having to go through this."
Janette Brewer, 48, who teaches Earnest Hargon's 16-year-old son, said she is praying for the missing family," Brewer said. "We want them to be found hopefully alive."
Authorities Abandon Smith County Search
Taylorsville 02/29/04 Updated at 9:25pm
Thanks...I'm pulling the plug see you tomorrow
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