WARREN COUNTY, Mo. — After a nearly-weeklong manhunt, a murder suspect wanted out of Warren County turned himself in to law enforcement.
According to the Warren County Sheriff's Department, 38-year-old James Frazer of Wright City allegedly killed his neighbor, 49-year-old Phil Blankenship, at about 12:30 Friday morning in the 29000 block of Bobwhite Lane. Blankenship was found dead from a gunshot wound hours later on his front lawn.
Witnesses said there was an altercation between the two over owed money and Blankenship had Frazer's cell phone, according to the sheriff's department. Frazer walked to his home, grabbed a firearm and said that we was going to shoot Blankenship. Witnesses later heard gunshots outside of the home, and Frazer returned saying he had hurt his neighbor.
Witnesses said Frazier then hid his gun in the woods and went to a friend's house.
The search for Frazer spanned multiple counties, with search warrants served in Lincoln, Warren and St. Charles counties. The Warren County Sheriff's Department even offered a reward for information leading to his arrest.
Frazer's lawyer, Reed Rosenblum of Rosenblum Schwartz Fry & Johnson Law Firm, surrendered him at about 11 a.m. Wednesday to the Warren County Sheriff's Department.
"Mr. Frazer will enter a plea of Not Guilty," his lawyers said in a statment. "He looks forward to presenting his case to a jury of his peers. James enjoys a tremendous amount of support from his family, friends, and his employer."
Charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action, Frazer was being held at the Warren County Jail without bond.
Previously, the sheriff's office said anyone who helped hide Frazer from law enforcement could also face charges.