BENTONVILLE -- Two people suspected in the recent murder of an Oklahoma man are currently being prosecuted in Benton County in connection with a 2012 arson.
James Douglas Manken and his wife, Janice Manken, have been identified as suspects involved in the killing of Wayne Lee Wennerholm.
His body was found July 13 in his home. Court documents in the arson case idenitified Wennerholm, 71, as Janice Manken's father.
Gary Perkinson, a special agent with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, said they belive Wennerholm was beatened to death.
Janice Manken has been arrested in connection with accessory to murder while an arrest warrant has been issued for James Manken's arrest for first degree murder, according to Perkinson.
Perkinson said there's a $5,000 reward leading to the arrest and conviction of James Mankin.
Oklahoma authorities suspect that James Manken could be in Northwest Arkansas.
"We are hoping that as many people in Northwest Arkansas as possible see the poster," Perkinson said. "We want people to contact their local authorities if they see Manken and not try to confront him themselves."
James Manken was arrested May 8, 2012, and later charged with arson, a Class A felony, which is punishable with prison sentence ranging from 6 to 30 years. Janice Manken was also arrested and charged with arson.
The Mankens are accused of setting fire to a trailer home at 24692 Cherokee Road in Gentry.
The couple's arson cases have not been resolved and they were free on $15,000 bond each.
Anyone with information concerning the whereabout of James Manken is asked to contact the Adair County Sheriff's Office at 918-696-2610 or the OSBI at 1-800-522-8017.
General News on 07/30/2014