A Scott City man has been charged with witness tampering in connection with the murder of Stanley Hagan in September.

According to a probable-cause statement, Christopher S. Niswonger Jr., 19, was with the defendant in the murder case, Marcus Bowers, 18, on the night Bowers allegedly slammed Hagan's head into a mobile home tie-down stake. Hagan died five days later.

On Tuesday, Scott County Prosecuting Attorney Paul R. Boyd charged Niswonger with the misdemeanor of tampering with a witness.

Niswonger confronted the witness, a 21-year-old woman, at the Dollar Store on Main Street in Scott City and accused her of being a "snitch," according to the sworn statement. The woman told police she ignored Niswonger and walked into the store but that he followed her in and threatened her.

A witness in the store confirmed the threats and asked the woman not to call police, but she said she had already made the call, the statement said.

Niswonger was a friend of Bowers, according to the statement.

Bowers was indicted in the homicide by a Scott County grand jury Jan. 3 and pleaded not guilty to the charges of first-degree murder and armed criminal action Jan. 10.

A misdemeanor warrant was issued for Niswonger because the victim feared he would carry out his threats against her, the statement said.

Niswonger was taken to the Scott City Jail. He was released on $15,000 bond.

bdicosmo@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 245