Father recalls 1986 murder as parole hearing approaches
by Colette Lefebvre
Herald-Tribune
Nevada, Mo. -- Tammy Lynn Stump was only 17 years old when she was murdered in August 1986. Her body was reportedly discovered by the owners of the 71 motel, Nevada.
According to the reports at that time, 34-year-old Robert Lee Bush of El Dorado Springs, Mo., checked into the 71 motel on Aug. 26. At the time of Bush's check in, the owners of the motel said that they had seen the shape of a woman in Bush's car. The next morning, Bush was gone, but he had left behind his victim. Tammy Lynn's body was discovered by motel staff. The owners of the motel heard the television and knocked on the door several times. However, after hearing no answer they opened the door, and that's when they found the body. Stump had been strangled to death with a lamp cord which, lay near her body, stabbed several times and left naked on the floor of the motel room.
She was, according to her father, Charles Rover Stump "was a sweet girl, she just got involved with the wrong crowd."
On Wednesday Aug. 27, 1986, Bush was arrested in his home in El Dorado Springs, by the then Vernon County Sheriff Carl McCaskill.
He was charged with Class A felony murder in the first degree. Bush complained to the arresting officers that he had lost his job in Stockton as a result of his arrest.
Officials called the lacerations from the knife that were performed on Stump's body superficial. The knife and lamp cord were left behind as evidence of Bush's crime.
About a month later, on Wednesday, Sept. 24, 1986, Nevada police testified that Bush confessed to the murder. Bush had recounted his crime to then Lt. Det. Norman Turner of the Nevada Police Department.
Turner asked if Bush would sign a statement, but Bush believed that he should consult with his lawyer.
"He also told me that he wanted the death penalty." said Turner, at the time of the murder.
Charles Stump stated that Bush met Tammy Lynn at the El Dorado picnic and from there proceeded to the motel.
Through a change of venue, Bush's case was moved to Cass County, stated Brian Hauswirth, a spokesman for the Missouri Department of Corrections.
In 1988, Bush was charged with second-degree murder which carries a life sentence, and armed criminal action which carries a sentence of 20 years.
Since 1988, Bush has been in three prisons.which include the Fulton Reception and Diagnostic Center, the now non-existent Missouri State Penitentiary the Jefferson City facility in which he is currently housed.
Bush was first up for parole in November 2001, but parole was denied. According to Hauswirth, a reconsideration hearing is slated for November 2006.
"The board looks at the amount of time served, victim input, the nature of the crime, the offender's conduct, and they also utilize a risk assessment instrument," said Hauswirth.
Stump's father will attend the hearing, travelling from his new home in Winchester, Ky.
"If I ever get the answer to the question I have, I just want to know why. I know how he did it. But, why did he kill my daughter? Once he answers that, I will be satisfied." said Stump.
But so far, that question remains unanswered.
Those with an interest in the case can write to the parole board to express their opinions on the case and whether or not parole should be granted.
Hauswirth stated, "It's good that people send letters. So that way the review board has the information at their fingertips. It lets the board know how they feel, something they can pick up and read."
Hauswirth advises anyone who wants their voice heard, regarding this case or any other coming up for a hearing, to write a letter addressed to; Missouri Probation and Parole board, 1511 Christy Rd, Jefferson City, MO. 65101.