A Baptist pastor accused of first-degree murder has been granted a $30,000 bond after spending more than two years in jail awaiting trial. Matthew Lynn Dedmon, 49, was given the opportunity to leave custody under strict conditions, including house arrest and GPS monitoring.

Dedmon, formerly of Heritage Baptist Church in Springfield, was arrested on May 28, 2022, following an incident in which he allegedly shot 57-year-old Joe Newburn multiple times in the chest. The shooting occurred in the Ozark Courthouse Square Historic District. Authorities say Dedmon confronted Newburn after spotting him with his wife at a local restaurant, leading to what police describe as a violent reaction over an alleged affair. Newburn succumbed to his injuries the following day.

Charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action, Dedmon had been held without bond as legal proceedings became entangled in discovery disputes and debates over witness endorsements for the upcoming trial. In September 2022, Judge Laura Johnson denied Dedmon's request for bond, citing concerns about public safety and the seriousness of the charges.

"The evidence is that Defendant possessed a loaded gun on the square in Ozark outside a busy restaurant, and that gun was discharged three to four times, resulting in the victim’s death. This put everyone on the square in grave danger," Judge Johnson wrote at the time. "The seriousness of the charge increases the risk that Defendant will not appear."

However, on October 1, Judge Johnson reversed her earlier decision, setting a $30,000 bond with conditions that Dedmon remain under house arrest and wear a GPS monitor. "Defendant may leave his home only for court appearances and emergency medical attention," the judge ordered.

The defense argued that Dedmon deserved a bond, noting his strong family ties, lack of criminal history, and the delays caused by what they termed the prosecution's "inexcusable act of late endorsements" of additional trial witnesses. "This case has been pending for well over two years," the defense filing stated. "Should the Court grant the State’s motion to endorse, in whole or in part, that the Defendant should be granted release on bond due to the State’s inexcusable act of late endorsements, which if allowed, will cause an inevitable lengthy delay of the Defendant’s trial."

As of Monday afternoon, records from the Christian County Jail did not indicate that Dedmon had been released. Prosecuting Attorney Kristen Tuohy declined to comment on the bond decision or the defense's allegations regarding witness endorsements, citing the ongoing nature of the case. Defense attorney Stacie Calhoun Bilyeu has not issued a public statement.

The victim, Joe Newburn, was a father of five and an avid car enthusiast. An obituary described him as "the guy next door that everyone wanted to know."

The case continues to unfold as both sides prepare for the eventual trial. Dedmon's next court appearance has not been publicly scheduled. 
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