OLNEY, Ill. — A judge has set bond at $3.5 million for a Houston, Texas man accused of a shooting Nov. 20, 2011 that left a Richland County, Ill., man dead.

Brandon L. Jenkins, 34 was arrested early Sunday morning and faces a single count of first-degree murder in the slaying case of Michael Scott Earp, 23. The shooting happened in the early morning hours of Sunday, Nov. 20 near the Super 8 Motel in Olney. Police believe Jenkins had allegedly been in an argument with Earp and another Richland County man, which led to the shooting.

Earp, shot in the abdoman, died in surgery at Richland Memorial Hospital in Olney several hours after the shooting.

Jenkins' trial lasted six days and according to court documents the jury in the case deliberated for about three hours before returning a verdict of not guilty of first-degree murder.

Michael Scott Earp, 23, of Olney, died at 6:44 a.m. Sunday, November 20, 2011, at Richland Memorial Hospital in Olney.  Funeral services at Summers-Kistler Funeral Home with Reverend Scott Carlson officiating. Burial in Haven Hill Memorial Gardens in Olney.

Mr. Earp was born August 15, 1988, in Evansville, Ind., the son of Flavius Trout and Robin (Earp) Summers.

He worked for Runyon Oil. His hobbies included mixed martial arts. He was an avid weightlifter and loving father.

Mr. Earp is survived by his father, Flavius Trout, of Henderson, Ky.; mother, Robin Summers, of Vincennes, Ind.; fiancée, Victoria DeWeese, of Olney; special friend, Cara Jane Bohannan, of Olney; daughter, Evalynne Noelle Earp, of Olney; expected daughter, Audrina Michaela Earp; stepmother, Tammie Price of Henderson, Ky.; stepfather, Ricky Trout, of Olney; grandmother, Clara Young, of Eldorado; brother, Flavius Doug Earp, of Olney; brother, Jonathan Trout, of Eldorado; brother, Haiden Summers, of Jerseyville; sister, Breanna Trout, of Olney; sister, Alyssa Totton, of Henderson, Ky.; sister, Brook Price, of Henderson, Ky.; and several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his Grandfather and Grandmother Trout.

Published in Olney Daily Mail (IL)