By Cheryl Lasseter - bio|email|twitter
COLLINS, MS (WLBT) - 53-year-old David Joe Stamps did not answer our questions as he was escorted into Covington County Justice Court for a bond hearing for murder. Judge Bobby Wayne Mooney set bond at $1.25 million.
It's the latest in a story that picked up speed on Monday, in Booneville, Mississippi. But Covington County Sheriff Ben Ford said the story began 16 years ago. "Advised that an individual had come into the Booneville Police Department, confessed to them he had committed murder 16 years ago in Covington County. He advised us he had been saved, it's something he had to get off his chest," Sheriff Ford said.
The remains of the unidentified 36-year-old male victim were buried deep in the woods behind the house at 95 Lowery Road.
Sheriff Ford said Stamps and the victim were roommates in the house at the time. They got into an argument that led to the murder. Preliminary cause of death is blunt force trauma.
Although Stamps revealed who he killed, authorities are still trying to officially identify the remains. The victim was never considered a missing person, and next of kin has been difficult to find.
"From the information we're getting, he had pretty much a transient life. Pretty much a loner," Sheriff Ford said. "The individual we have arrested, Stamps, was asked 16 years ago if he had seen this guy. He advised them he had just left town, went to New Orleans."
The house is now vacant. The owner of the property did not want to comment.
Stamps did not have an attorney present with him in court Wednesday. Sheriff Ford said a grand jury will examine the evidence in the case.
The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation is assisting.
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