Men accused of beating man denied bond reduction

FARMINGTON — The two men accused of brutally beating a disabled former Green Beret were not granted a bond reduction.

On Tuesday, the public defenders for Trevor K. Grice, 20, of Marquand, and Jason Allen Parrent, 27, of Farmington, asked for bond reductions for their clients.  Bond is set at $250,000.

Grice’s attorney, Jeffrey Shellenbergar, asked Associate Circuit Court Judge Thomas L. Ray to lower Grice’s bond to $125,000. He said Grice is young and doesn’t have any prior convictions.

Parrent’s attorney, Ben Campbell, asked the judge to lower Parrent’s bond to $175,000. Parrent has a case pending before the same judge for possession of a controlled substance and unlawful use of a weapon.

Judge Ray denied both requests and granted Prosecuting Attorney Wendy Wexler Horn’s request for DNA testing.

Both men’s preliminary hearing was then scheduled for 2:30 p.m. July 6. 

Grice and Parrent are charged with second-degree assault, second-degree murder and endangering the welfare of a child in connection with the death of 44-year-old Donis “Ike” Clanton of Farmington.

Clanton was found dead at his Farmington home on May 6. According to court records, an autopsy determined Clanton died of closed head trauma/blunt force trauma consisting of two blows to the left ear and at least four other blows to the head. 

Parrent initially told police that he came to Clanton’s home the morning of May 6 to do yard work. He said through the door, he could see Clanton on the floor. He said he called 911 from his sister’s house and then started performing CPR.

While being questioned at the police department, he added that he, Grice and a juvenile were at Clanton’s house the night before where he said they consumed alcohol.

Parrent then confessed to hitting Clanton. He said during an argument, Clanton punched him on the left side of the face. He said it didn’t hurt, but he stood up and punched Clanton four to five times. 

He said they reconciled and about 10 minutes later and Clanton passed out. 

However, Grice said Clanton immediately became unconscious and never regained consciousness. Grice admitted he struck Clanton while Clanton was unconscious.

The juvenile said after Parrent assaulted Clanton, Parrent directed him to dispose of the evidence. 

Grice said he wiped down bottles, soda cans, and glasses to get rid of fingerprints. He said he and the juvenile stole a cell phone, a military coin, DVD player, silver utensils, and headphones.

Clanton was a former Green Beret who served his country for 13 years including during Operation Desert Storm. He was highly decorated and honorably discharged.

He became disabled about eight years ago, suffering brain damage after a 14-foot fall.

Teresa Ressel is a reporter for the Daily Journal and can be reached at 573-431-2010, ext. 179 or at tressel@dailyjournalonline.com.