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Accessory to rape, murder, arson charges filed
Published Thursday, September 10, 2009
NATCHEZ — Natchez Police have arrested a Fayette man in connection with the Aug. 20 murder of Natchez resident Terry Lynn Farmer.
Willie Duck, 33, was arrested Thursday afternoon at NPD headquarters and charged with accessory after the fact to rape, accessory after the fact to murder and accessory after the fact to arson.
Natchez Police Chief Mike Mullins said Duck had been at the station for several days for questioning.
“We were able to gain evidence that indicated he knew (Farmer),” Mullins said.
Natchez Police Sgt. Craig Godbold said Duck initially told investigators he knew Farmer because he had done work at her house, and then allegedly gave other conflicting statements during subsequent questioning.
“We feel Duck has a lot of information as to what happened there,” Godbold said. “We think he knows a lot more than he’s telling us.”
Godbold said it is possible information from Duck will result in additional arrests in the case.
It’s also possible Duck’s charges will be changed at a later date as more evidence is collected.
“It’s common for charges to be upgraded in these types of cases,” Mullins said. “It’s still an ongoing investigation.”
Godbold said authorities are exploring the possibility that Farmer’s death was drug related.
And the vicious nature of this crime is uncommon for this area, Godbold said.
“We have evidence she was raped, beaten, shot and set on fire,” he said. “In 18 years here, I haven’t seen anything like this.”
Farmer’s body was discovered at her Shadow Lane residence when NPD officers patrolling the area smelled an odor of smoke and followed it to Farmer’s house.
After the fire was extinguished Farmer’s body was discovered and evidence gathered at the scene indicated that she had been murdered and the fire set to conceal the evidence.
Duck is being held without bond.
