A Licking man faces murder charges after an altercation in the street Friday night led to a man’s stabbing death.
Nolan C. Decker, 41, of Licking, was charged with second-degree murder and armed criminal action in the death of Mark E. Bryson, 42, of Licking. He is held on $5 million bond in the Texas County Jail.
Licking Police Chief Scott Lindsey said his officers were called at 9:36 p.m. Friday to a disturbance report at 237 Old Salem Road. Upon arrival, they found Bryson inside the home with critical injuries caused by a hunting knife. He was pronounced dead at the scene by Texas County Coroner Tom Whittaker.
A probable cause statement from the Missouri State Highway Patrol said Decker’s uncle, Loyd Decker Jr., had picked Decker up near the scene at his request. Nolan Decker, who was only wearing his underwear, told his uncle he had been in an altercation with Bryson and “hurt him real bad.” Loyd Decker Jr. took his nephew to his home, then returned to the Old Salem Road residence to check on Bryson.
During an interview with a patrol investigator Saturday at the Texas County Justice Center, Decker admitted to being involved with a struggle with Bryson a short time before his death. He said orange jail sandals found in the street with the initials “ND” were his. The investigator said Bryson had a bruised eye and abrasions on his leg that revealed he was in a physical altercation.
While searching the area Saturday between the altercation and Robertson Drive, where Decker’s uncle picked him up, MSHP officers found a pair of men’s pants and a hunting knife.
The patrol said there were blood stains from the street to the home where Bryson was found deceased.
Court records indicate Decker was released from prison in January on a Dent County case. He was on probation.
The Texas County Sheriff’s Department assisted in the investigation. Texas County Prosecutor Parke Stevens Jr. filed charges on Saturday.