New suspect charged in principal's shooting

BLACKWELL, Mo. -- A new suspect has been charged in the killing of a longtime eastern Missouri grade school principal, authorities said Tuesday. Meanwhile, charges were dropped against two of three men previously charged in Lloyd Agers' death.

Agers' remains were found March 21 in his home in the eastern Missouri town of Blackwell, after a fire that destroyed the house. Authorities originally thought the fire was accidental, but an autopsy revealed that Agers, 60, had been shot.

The Washington County Sheriff's Department determined the fire was set to hide a robbery and killing, and three men were charged last month with first-degree murder, arson, robbery and armed criminal action.

But on Friday, prosecutor John Rupp dropped charges against two of the original suspects, Nolan Lee Dunn, 22, of Cabot, Ark., and Kim Thomas Clark, 32, of Potosi. Charges remain against the third original suspect, Ross Edward Dillard, 19.

Meanwhile, Thomas Patrick Mackley, 24, was arrested and identically charged. Both Mackley and Dillard are from Potosi, Mo., each jailed on $1 million bond.

Rupp said the change in charges came after he learned new information from investigators with the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

"It was enough that I had doubts about the guilt of the other two defendants," Rupp said. "I have an ethical obligation that if I have doubts, I can't proceed, regardless of the evidence."

Rupp said an investigation continues, and he would not rule out the possibility that Dunn and Clark could be charged again.

Agers was principal at Athena Elementary School in De Soto for 24 years before retiring in 2001 and was well-known for his volunteer work in the area around Blackwell. Colleagues recalled him as a caring, generous man.

Rupp said that Mackley and Agers were acquaintances, and that Mackley had visited Agers' home several times.

A probable cause statement from patrol Sgt. David Bauer gave this account:

Using a borrowed .22-caliber rifle, Mackley and an unnamed acquaintance drove from Cuba, Mo., to Agers' house the night of March 20. Mackley took a rifle with him to the door and asked Agers to pawn the weapon for him.

"Tommy, I don't have any money to pawn this gun for you," Agers said.

The person in the car then allegedly heard two shots.

Mackley returned to the car, pointed the gun at the acquaintance's head and said, "If I can't trust you let me know now or I will kill you."

Mackley then allegedly took a gasoline can from the garage and poured the fuel inside Agers' home. The acquaintance told police that Mackley went through Agers' wallet, then disappeared inside. Soon, the acquaintance saw a glow indicating a fire inside the home.

Mackley then returned and allegedly shot Agers in the head.

Rupp declined to discuss the case beyond what was in the probable cause statement, including Dillard's alleged involvement or how the men knew Agers.