Catt's request to reduce bond denied in Oct. 16 assault case

According to family and friends of the victim, Jason Hallam, 26, of Nevada continues to fight for his life after being hit by a car during an incident last week at Elmwood Estates.

Representatives of St. John's hospital in Joplin, where Hallam continues to be treated in the intensive care unit, were unable to confirm the extent of his injuries due to privacy laws. However, his brother, Josh Hallam, told the Daily Mail on Oct. 23 that all of Jason's left ribs had been broken and his left lung collapsed from the incident. He also said that more recently Jason's right lung collapsed and he has developed several infections including pneumonia.

According to an initial report by Sgt. Jeff Baker of the Nevada Police Department, at approximately 9:05 p.m. on Oct. 16, a red 1991 Plymouth Acclaim owned by Rick Morris, of Polo, Ill., and driven by Charles Catt, 24, of Fort Scott, struck Jason and Josh Hallam as it was exiting the parking lot of Elmwood. Jason Hallam was reportedly dragged a distance of about 54 feet under the vehicle into Elm Street. Alcohol and drugs are both listed in Baker's report as probable contributing circumstances to the collision. Josh Hallam was not seriously injured.

According to Nevada Police detective Casey Crain, both Matthew Leer of Nevada and Catt were arrested in connection with the assault of Hallam at the Vernon County Sheriff's Office.

Though Leer was rumored to be involved with the initial conflict, Crain stated that when case information was forwarded to the prosecuting attorney only Catt was charged with second degree assault and leaving the scene of an accident. Crane could not say why Leer is not being prosecuted at this time and is not mentioned on Sgt. Baker's report. No other person allegedly involved with the crime is being charged at this time.

Eyewitness accounts vary greatly; nevertheless, most parties who spoke to the Daily Mail agreed there was a knife involved in the conflict prior to the alleged vehicular assault but accounts disagree as to if or how the knife was used. At this point, Nevada police say there is no evidence of a knife being involved in the event; however, that aspect of the incident is still being investigated.

Terah Leer, separated wife of Matthew Leer and girlfriend of Jason Hallam, alleges that she saw Jason Hallam being attacked by Leer. She also alleges that by her account, Josh Hallam was trying to separate the two, when Catt entered Morris' vehicle and allegedly ran over Jason Hallam.

Tracy Barksdale, Charles Catt's mother said, "My son was in the wrong place at the wrong time." According to Barksdale, Catt contacted his sister and told her that he and Leer were attacked by the Hallam brothers and while trying to escape he hit Jason Hallam. "They were after this Matt kid, my son had nothing to do with it," Barksdale alleges, "He was trying to save his own life."

Barksdale also alleged that on her son's cell phone, which he did not have on his person at the time of the incident, was a text message saying "please call 911." She was unable to find a phone number from which it was sent.

Thursday morning Catt attended a pre-trial conference where he was assigned a new attorney due to what was called a conflict for the office by Public Defender Rebecca Elliston. Elliston did appear on the behalf of Catt for Thursday's proceedings. Catt's new attorney will be David Pearson of the Harrisonville Public Defender's Office.

Also addressed at the hearing was Catt's bond. Catt currently held at $50,000 was looking to reduce bond. The reduction was opposed by Prosecuting Attorney Lynn Ewing, then denied by Judge Neil Quitno.

Prior to the denial, Elliston warned Catt against having any contact with the Hallams if he were to make bond. Catt replied to the warning simply, "with who?"

Catt's new pre-trial date is set for Nov. 8 at 9 a.m.

Due to a lack of witness participation, Sgt. Crain is asking that anyone with information regarding the incident contact the Nevada Police Department by calling the anonymous crime tip line (417) 667-2796.