Suspect in beatings appears in court Monday

The suspect in the beatings of two women at a Union County church now has been indicted by a grand jury.

Willis Edward Bates, 45, had been arrested and faces multiple charges in connection with a violent attack on two women Sept. 28 at the First Baptist Church in Anna.

The victims were Mary Shepard and Leona Mount, both of Union County.

Both continue to recover from the severe injuries which they sustained. Mary Shepard is recovering at home. Leona Mount is at a rehabilitation medical facility in the St. Louis area.

Bates was arrested Monday afternoon, Oct. 5, in Marion.

A Union County grand jury indicted Bates on multiple charges Thursday, Oct. 29. Bates appeared in Union County Circuit Court in Jonesboro Monday morning.

Union County State's Attorney Tyler Edmonds said the indictment handed down by the grand jury charges Bates with two counts of attempted murder, one count of burglary, two counts of theft, possession of a weapon by a felon and two counts of aggravated battery.

Edmonds explained that the grand jury indictment supercedes previous charges which had been filed against Bates in connection with the case.

Bates remains in custody at the Tri-County Detention Center at Ullin on $1 million bond.

Bates' next appearance in Union County Circuit Court is set for Tuesday, Nov. 17.