Relatives: Drifter slain in Mo. had drug scheme
(AP) — Relatives say a drifter whose body was found in the refrigerated compartment of a tractor-trailer had schemed to sell drugs with a Missouri family charged in his death.
Authorities say James McNeely was held against his will for two days at the family's home in Laddonia, where he was beaten, kicked, suffocated with a plastic bag and strangled with wire.
Authorities have not disclosed a possible motive for the Dec. 18 slaying.
But relatives say McNeely had told them about a drug-dealing plan involving a trucker he met on the road and the trucker's son. Hubert McNeely of Columbus, Ohio, speculates that his nephew was killed for backing out of the plan.
Five members of the Laddonia family have been charged in McNeely's death. No drug charges have been filed in the case.
Sarra Sounds Off, Season 3, Ep 4: Top football teams in action, fantasy update and plays of the week Gregg Sarra sounds off on the Nassau Conference II football matchup between Calhoun at Carey, plus the comeback story of New Hyde Park's Gabriel Peter, an update on the high school fantasy football standings and the plays of the week.
Sarra Sounds Off, Season 3, Ep 4: Top football teams in action, fantasy update and plays of the week Gregg Sarra sounds off on the Nassau Conference II football matchup between Calhoun at Carey, plus the comeback story of New Hyde Park's Gabriel Peter, an update on the high school fantasy football standings and the plays of the week.
