In a dramatic turn of events, a Baptist pastor from the Ozarks, Missouri, has been granted bond after spending two years in jail for allegedly shooting and killing his wife’s lover outside a busy restaurant.
Matthew Dedmon, a 49-year-old pastor from Springfield, Missouri, was charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action following the fatal incident. The case, which has drawn widespread attention, took a significant shift when the judge who initially denied bond reversed her decision, allowing Dedmon to be released under strict conditions.
The tragic shooting occurred in broad daylight in the Ozark Courthouse Square Historic District. According to local reports, Dedmon allegedly spotted his wife with 57-year-old Joe Newburn, the man Dedmon believed to be having an affair with her. Fueled by anger and betrayal, Dedmon is accused of confronting Newburn and then firing multiple shots, killing him on the spot.
On the day of the incident, Dedmon drove to the courthouse square in his truck, where he reportedly witnessed his wife and Newburn together. Enraged by the sight, Dedmon allegedly approached the pair and opened fire, discharging his weapon three to four times. Newburn, gravely injured, was rushed to Cox South Hospital in Springfield, where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
In the wake of the shooting, Dedmon was arrested and held without bond, facing the severe charges of first-degree murder and armed criminal action. His arrest shocked the local community, where he served as a pastor at Heritage Baptist Church in Rogersville, a town near Springfield. The shooting rocked his congregation and left many grappling with the disturbing details of the case.
Initially, Christian County Circuit Judge Laura Johnson denied Dedmon bond due to the seriousness of the charges and the risk of flight. In her September 2022 ruling, Johnson expressed concern about Dedmon’s actions, citing that they were “out of character” for the pastor but also pointing out the danger posed by his decision to bring a loaded weapon to a busy public area.
“The evidence is that the defendant possessed a loaded gun on the square in Ozark outside a busy restaurant, and that gun was discharged three to four times, resulting in the victim’s death. This put everyone on the square in grave danger,” Judge Johnson wrote in her ruling at the time. She further noted that Dedmon’s conduct raised concerns about his decision-making and judgment, leading her to initially deny any possibility of bond.
However, on October 1, 2024, Judge Johnson reversed her prior decision, setting Dedmon’s bond at $30,000. The reversal came as a surprise to many, given the severity of the charges and the high-profile nature of the case.
Dedmon’s defense attorneys had been pushing for bond for some time, arguing that their client should not be held without the opportunity to await trial outside of jail. Their arguments centered on the idea that Dedmon was not a flight risk and that his actions, while tragic, were a result of an emotional outburst rather than premeditated murder.
Under the conditions of his release, Dedmon will be required to wear a GPS monitoring device and remain under house arrest. Judge Johnson made it clear that the pastor would only be allowed to leave his home for court appearances and emergency medical attention. “Defendant may leave his home only for court appearances and emergency medical attention,” she stated, outlining the strict guidelines for his release.
The decision to grant bond has sparked debate, particularly due to the serious nature of the crime and the public safety concerns raised by the prosecution. Critics of the decision argue that Dedmon, as someone charged with murder, poses a continued threat to the community. However, the defense has maintained that Dedmon’s actions were not indicative of a dangerous individual but rather a man caught in an emotionally charged situation.
At the heart of the case is the allegation that Dedmon killed Newburn because of an affair with his wife. According to reports, Dedmon believed that Newburn had been involved with his spouse, leading to the fatal encounter outside the restaurant. Whether the affair was ongoing or the circumstances of the alleged relationship will likely be key issues explored during Dedmon’s trial.
As of Wednesday, records from the Christian County Jail did not yet indicate that Dedmon had been released, though his bond had been set. His trial is scheduled to begin on March 3, 2025, and it is expected to be closely watched given the high-profile nature of the crime, the involvement of a local pastor, and the complex emotions surrounding the case.
For now, the once-respected pastor remains a figure at the center of a tragedy that has left one man dead, a family torn apart, and a community in shock. The trial will ultimately determine whether Dedmon acted in self-defense or if he will face the full consequences of a murder conviction.
