Area Man To Face Murder Charge

Ritchie County Prosecutor David Hanlon said Tuesday Dennis Ferguson, 67, Pullman, will go before the grand jury on one count of first degree murder.

The charge stems from the April 8 slaying of Ritchie County Trooper Larry G. Hacker. Hacker and fellow trooper SJ. Verdow answered a call about a argument between Ferguson and neighbors near Pullman in rural Ritchie County.

Police allege that when Hacker peered around the corner of a shed near Ferguson's home, the elderly man shot the trooper. Ferguson is also said to have held police and emergency rescue workers from assisting the wounded Hacker by holding them at bay with a spray of gunfire. Ferguson was later captured in the woods near his home.

Hacker was flown by helicopter to Camden-Clark Memorial Hospital where he later died.

Officers said Ferguson shot at other police officers who arrived at the scene, before being taken into custody.
Tuesday, Circuit Judge Joseph Troisi agreed to let Ferguson's attorney Keith White question the man's neighbor Jack Langford on a limited basis Friday.

Magistrate David Haugh had earlier denied White permission to question Langford. However, Troisi agreed to consider the question before ruling he could ask some questions on Friday.