A second-degree murder charge filed against a suspect from Chicago has been dropped in Miller County. Prosecuting Attorney Ben Winfrey says the case against Joseph Patrick McKenna, who is accused in the shooting death of California resident Tyler Worthington, was dropped in favor of elevated charges which include first-degree murder, armed criminal action and tampering with a witness in a felony case. The latest probable cause statement filed in the case indicates that McKenna and his fiance were arrested in Arkansas just two months after the Miller County murder. They were allegedly in possession of nearly 70 pounds of marijuana and a Ruger 9-millimeter handgun. Ballistics tests matched the gun to a shell casing at the murder scene in Miller County and determined that it was the gun used in the killing of Worthington. McKenna is also accused of threatening a witness who had reportedly talked to authorities. McKenna had been free on bond but, has since, been picked back up in Illinois where he is now being held without bond. If convicted on the new murder charge, McKenna could face up to 30 years or life in prison.
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