Newton County Sheriff Glenn Wheeler said on May 4 that his office responded to a report of a serious attack involving a 67-year-old woman near Pelsor. The alleged suspect in the case was identified as the victim’s sister. Deputies arriving at the scene found the victim in an ambulance with visible serious injuries.
According to Wheeler, deputies learned that the victim had been asleep when Rosemarie Starr, age 61, entered her room shouting threats and stating she would kill her. Starr allegedly threatened to kill the victim multiple times before striking her in the head and other parts of her body with a hammer. After falling out of bed, the victim continued to be struck by Starr before Starr fled from the home.
Deputies located Starr nearby but reported that she refused to cooperate. She was taken into custody and charged with Conduct Constituting Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, Domestic Battery in the First Degree, and Terroristic Threatening—all felony charges. Wheeler said Starr was transported to Newton County Jail where a judge set bond at $500,000. The victim was taken by ambulance to a hospital in Russellville.
The Newton County Sheriff’s Office advances community impact through responsive law enforcement and emergency response programs according to its official website. The agency also focuses on delivering professional services including law enforcement, search and rescue operations, emergency medical response, and public outreach according to its official website.
The sheriff’s office serves residents throughout Newton County, Arkansas—including areas within Ozark National Forest and Buffalo National River according to its official website. It provides public safety services designed to enhance community quality of life according to its official website, operating as a dedicated law enforcement agency since it was established in 1842 according to its official website.
