3 arraigned for Hayti murder

CARUTHERSVILLE -- A Hayti couple and a Portageville man were arraigned Tuesday on charges related to last month's murder of a Hayti man.

Hayti husband and wife, Chester Daniel Cummings, 45, and Ronda Jean Cummings, 44, along with Michael Jay Hemmingway, 36, appeared before Judge William W. Carter on charges related to the murder of David L. "Trey" Phelps of Hayti. Phelps was found lying next to his car in his driveway at 915 Swan Lake Drive between 5 a.m. and 6 a.m. Sept. 24.

Hemmingway was arrested Oct. 7 on charges of tampering with physical evidence in a felony in connection to Phelps' death.

Chester Cummings was arrested and charged Oct. 7 with first-degree murder and armed criminal action for his role in Phelps' death.

Ronda Cummings was arrested Friday in Boonville on a Pemiscot County warrant for charges of hindering prosecution of a felony and tampering with physical evidence in a felony. Investigators returned Cummings to Pemiscot County Friday.

In addition, Bert Allen Ellison, 41, of Caruthersville, was arrested Sept. 25 and charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action.

Following Tuesday's arraignment, Chester Cummings and Ronda Cummings are scheduled to return to court for a counsel status hearing at 10 a.m. Oct. 19, according to Missouri Case.net. Further information on Hemmingway's court proceedings was unavailable.

Ellison appeared in court Thursday, and a case review is set for 10 a.m. Oct. 19 before Carter in Pemiscot County.

Ellison, Chester Cummings and Ronda Cummings are being held in the Pemiscot County Jail without bond. As of Tuesday, Hemmingway remained in custody at the Pemiscot County Jail with bond set at $500,000.

According to Sheriff Tommy Greenwell, the investigation into Phelps' death is ongoing.