Two arrested in Murdock slayings
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BY GWEN TIETGEN / Lincoln Journal Star
MURDOCK — Family allegedly killed family in the shooting deaths of a Murdock couple inside their farmhouse last week, authorities said Wednesday.
Matt D. Livers, 28, and his cousin, Nicholas B. Sampson, 21, were arrested late Tuesday on suspicion of killing Wayne and Sharmon Stock while they slept Easter night. Authorities have said the couple were likely awakened by the perpetrators. Livers is Wayne Stock’s nephew.
Sampson of Palmyra and Livers, 6418 Leighton Ave., of Lincoln were arrested separately in Cass County, though officials declined to elaborate.
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A search of court records show little to no criminal history, aside from traffic violations, for Livers or Sampson. Both are being held in the Cass County Jail.
Wayne, 58, and Sharmon, 55, Stock were found dead April 17 in an upstairs bedroom of their home about two miles west of Murdock. Their son, Andy, had come to the home to see why his dad was late to work. The two farmed together and ran their business, Stock Hay & Grain.
Preliminary autopsy results indicate both were shot in the head at close range with a shotgun. There were no signs of forced entry into the home, likely because the door was unlocked, and nothing was reported taken from the house, authorities have said.
Investigators wouldn’t comment on a motive for the killings.
“We’ve heard about every story you could hear. There’s been a lot of stuff said in general by everybody,” said Cass County Sheriff Bill Brueggemann of the about 15 investigators who have followed 91 leads in the case. “We still have a lot of work to do.”
Cass County Attorney Nathan Cox said he has not yet determined whether he will seek the death penalty. Livers and Sampson are set to be arraigned in Cass County Court this morning.
Sampson’s record shows an extensive list of traffic violations, mostly for speeding. At 19, his license was revoked for a year after he was caught driving without a license. A year ago, he got two years of probation for driving under suspension, again.
Nebraska State Patrol Lt. Chuck Phillips said Wednesday one of the men was at an Easter gathering at the couple’s home the day before they were found dead, but he declined to say which.
Sampson worked security at a vigil for the slain couple.
Both watched as hundreds mourned at Saturday’s funeral, Phillips said.
Livers and Sampson at one time attended high school in Murdock, though neither finished there, according to school officials. Livers moved out of state as a freshman in 1992. Sampson left as a senior in May 2003.
Investigators obtained search warrants for Livers’ and Sampson’s residences and vehicles, which led to the arrests, Brueggemann said. At the homes, authorities recovered firearms and other evidence, which were being processed Wednesday.
Brueggemann praised law enforcement, including the State Patrol and Douglas County Crime Lab, in announcing the arrests.
Asked if others were wanted in the shootings, Brueggemann said officials have to investigate all possible leads, adding, “I’m confident we got the right people.”
The Stock family was notified of the arrests about midnight Tuesday, Brueggemann said. The family was more relieved than surprised at the news, he said, though it opens another chapter of hurt for them.
The family’s pastor, Rev. Jon Wacker of Ebenezer United Methodist Church, said the family wanted to be left alone and declined further comment.
In Murdock Wednesday, some expressed relief. Others, disbelief.
How could two men they knew be accused of something so horrible?
Said Lorie Ritnour, who worked with Sampson at Bulldog’s Bar & Grill: “My stomach’s been in knots all day since I heard this.”
Ritnour knew Sampson as “Doodle.” He had worked construction and recently took a job at Tractor Supply Co. in Waverly, she said.
“If you told him you needed him to do something, he would do it. He’s just a good kid. He still is. I just don’t know the circumstances,” Ritnour said.
“I think we are all just amazed.”
Jon Ricci, who described himself as a childhood friend, said Matt Livers had moved to Texas a few years ago to work as a security guard. He wasn’t sure whether he was working in Lincoln.
David Baumeister, who helps run Midwest Farmers Cooperative in Murdock and knows Sampson’s mother, Debbie, said this won’t be easy for her.
“I feel sorry for the family because it is a family member ... both families.”
People should keep in mind Livers and Sampson haven’t been convicted, Baumeister said.
And yet.
“I think I will sleep a little easier at night knowing someone has been arrested for this crime.”
Reach Gwen Tietgen at 473-7242 or gtietgen@journalstar.com. Staff writers Jonnie Taté Finn and Lori Pilger contributed to this story.
Suspects' bios
Matthew D. Livers
Age: 28
Address: 6418 Leighton Ave., Lincoln
Livers worked as a security guard in Texas after leaving school at Elmwood-Murdock Public School his freshman year. He later returned to Nebraska, renting a house in Lincoln with a woman about a year ago, according to his landlord, Albert Tritsch. He was Wayne Stock’s nephew. He has no apparent criminal record in Nebraska or Texas.
Nicholas B. Sampson
Age: 21
Address: 510 B St., Palmyra
Sampson liked to drive fast. Nebraska court records show he had been ticketed for speeding at least nine times. After leaving Elmwood-Murdock Public School as a senior in May 2003, he worked construction and moved to Lincoln in November 2004. While on probation for driving under suspension in November 2004, he moved to Palmyra and had taken a job at Tractor Supply Co. in Waverly. He and Livers are cousins, though he’s not related to Wayne Stock.
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