Seneca man charged with beating man to death with baseball bat bound over for trial

A Seneca man who allegedly beat a man to death with a baseball bat over a rent dispute was bound over for trial following a preliminary hearing Wednesday in McDonald County Circuit Court.

The next hearing for Clarence Anderson, 56, is scheduled for 9 a.m. December 12 before Judge Kevin Selby.

The beating of Joshua Collier, 34, took place April 19 in front of Anderson's grandchildren, according to the probable cause statement, after Anderson asked Collier to leave a small hut he was renting behind the residence and Collier began cussing at him.







Anderson allegedly struck Collier in the head and chest with a blue, metal bat, then left him on the ground bleeding from his ears and nose.

The children's grandmother took Collier to the hut and he slept there that night The next day she drove Collier to his home in Neosho. Anderson allegedly sold Collier's motorcycle for $50, forging the owner's name.

Collier was later taken to Freeman Hospital where he died due to the injuries he received during the beating.