Three suspects arrested in killing of Hayti man

CARUTHERSVILLE, Mo. -- Two men and one woman were arrested last week in connection with a Sept. 24 slaying in Caruthersville.

Chester Daniel Cummings, 45, of Hayti, Missouri, was charged Wednesday with first-degree murder and armed criminal action for his role in the killing of David L. "Trey" Phelps. Cummings' wife, Ronda J. Cummings of Hayti, was arrested Friday in Boonville, Missouri, after being charged with hindering prosecution of a felony and tampering with physical evidence in a felony.

Michael Jay Hemmingway, 36, of Portageville, Missouri, was charged Thursday with tampering with physical evidence in the case.

Phelps' body was found lying next to his car in his driveway at 915 Swan Lake Drive in Caruthersville between 5 and 6 a.m. Sept. 24.

Bert Allen Ellison, 41, of Bradford, Tennessee, was arrested Sept. 25 and charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action in the case.

The Cummingses are being held in the Pemiscot County Jail with no bond. They will be arraigned at 10 a.m. Tuesday.

Hemmingway is being held in the same facility, with bond set at $500,000.

Pertinent address:

Caruthersville, Mo.