Mason’s minor son also charged in beating of teen
February 25, 2015
Charlea Mills
A minor has also been charged in the severe beating of a 17-year-old earlier this month. According to Barry County Sheriff Mick Epperly, the 16-year-old son of the man accused of the crime, James R. Mason, has also been charged in connection with the crime.
Mason, 42, of Cassville, was arrested shortly after Tyler Pendergraft told authorities that he had been lured onto Mason’s property to cut wood. After he arrived, Mason lifted the teen’s truck with a skid steer so that he couldn’t leave the property and then beat him with an axe handle, according to the affidavit of probable cause. Mason claimed that the teen had been stealing diesel from his farm tanks.
The incident, which occurred on February 9, left the teen with serious injuries that required emergency surgery.
Epperly said that Mason’s son is being charged with first degree assault for his participating in the beating that left Pendergraft with two broken legs and a broken nose. He also said that the teen had no prior history with law enforcement as far as he knows.
Mason’s son was taken into police custody after he turned himself in by the urging of his attorney in Pineville on February 13. The minor was taken into custody of the Division of Youth Services in their juvenile detention unit in Fair Grove, but he has since been placed with someone outside of that facility, according to Epperly.
Mason was charged with assault in the first degree, armed criminal action and property damage in the first degree. He was held in the Barry County Jail until February 19 when he posted the $250,000 cash-only bond. Mason’s attorney Charles Rhoades filed for a bond reduction, which was denied. The conditions of Mason’s bond include having no contact with the victim or his family and he must have electronic monitoring. Mason is to appear in court for a preliminary hearing on May 13 at 11 a.m. in front of Judge Carr Woods.
Charlea Mills
A minor has also been charged in the severe beating of a 17-year-old earlier this month. According to Barry County Sheriff Mick Epperly, the 16-year-old son of the man accused of the crime, James R. Mason, has also been charged in connection with the crime.
Mason, 42, of Cassville, was arrested shortly after Tyler Pendergraft told authorities that he had been lured onto Mason’s property to cut wood. After he arrived, Mason lifted the teen’s truck with a skid steer so that he couldn’t leave the property and then beat him with an axe handle, according to the affidavit of probable cause. Mason claimed that the teen had been stealing diesel from his farm tanks.
The incident, which occurred on February 9, left the teen with serious injuries that required emergency surgery.
Epperly said that Mason’s son is being charged with first degree assault for his participating in the beating that left Pendergraft with two broken legs and a broken nose. He also said that the teen had no prior history with law enforcement as far as he knows.
Mason’s son was taken into police custody after he turned himself in by the urging of his attorney in Pineville on February 13. The minor was taken into custody of the Division of Youth Services in their juvenile detention unit in Fair Grove, but he has since been placed with someone outside of that facility, according to Epperly.
Mason was charged with assault in the first degree, armed criminal action and property damage in the first degree. He was held in the Barry County Jail until February 19 when he posted the $250,000 cash-only bond. Mason’s attorney Charles Rhoades filed for a bond reduction, which was denied. The conditions of Mason’s bond include having no contact with the victim or his family and he must have electronic monitoring. Mason is to appear in court for a preliminary hearing on May 13 at 11 a.m. in front of Judge Carr Woods.