SMACKOVER — A Union County man died when he was stabbed during an altercation earlier this week, and his girlfriend was arrested hours later after admitting to the killing, according to Smackover police.
Nelda Tatum, 56, of 1702 Lisbon Road, is expected to make her first appearance Monday in 35th Judicial District Court on a charge of second-degree murder in the stabbing death of 68-year-old Bobby L. Bell.
Tatum is being held in the Union County Jail on a $50,000 bond.
Smackover Police Chief Michael Fife said Bell sustained a single laceration that severed a major artery behind
his left knee.
The body will be sent to the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory in Little Rock for an autopsy, Fife said.
At approximately 3:45 p.m. on Monday, Smackover police responded to a report of a stabbing at 1105 Magnolia St.
Upon arrival, police identified the victim as Bell. He was transferred by ProMed Ambulance to Medical Center of South Arkansas, where he was later pronounced dead.
Bell and his girlfriend, Tatum, were visiting friends at the Magnolia Street residence when an argument ensued, Fife said.
The situation escalated and Tatum retrieved a kitchen knife and cut Bell, witnesses told police.
Fife noted that the couple had been drinking alcoholic beverages.
Tatum was detained and during a follow-up interview with police later that day, she admitted to stabbing Bell, Fife said.
She was arrested for second-degree murder, and she was transported to the Union County Jail just before 7 p.m.
Fife said police seized as evidence the knife that is believed to have been used in the stabbing, and the investigation is continuing.
Tia Lyons may be contacted at 870-862-6611 or by email at tlyons@ eldoradonews.com.