BENTONVILLE (KFSM) — A Bentonville man who was arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder bonded out of the Benton County Jail Wednesday (Feb. 24).
James Andrew Bates, 31, was released from jail on $350,000 bond, according to deputies at the jail.
Bates is facing a first-degree murder charge in the death of Victro Parris Collins, 47, of Centerton, according to Bates’ probable cause affidavit.
The affidavit states the Arkansas State Crime Lab ruled Collins’ death a homicide by strangulation with a contributing cause of drowning. His body was found in Bates’ hot tub on Nov. 22, 2015 after Bates called 911 to report the death, according to the affidavit.
Detectives believe Bates killed Collins during a struggle and then attempted to clean up the scene, the affidavit states.
