Murder charges filed in Morgan Co. killings

Ronald Blowers
Ronald Blowers

Originally posted at 10:10 a.m. Friday. Updated at 12:15 p.m.

A Stover man already in custody for other crimes, was charged Friday with the murders of a Morgan County couple.

Ronald J. Blowers, 25, was charged with two counts of second-degree murder, armed criminal action and one count of first-degree burglary.

He's being held in the Morgan County Jail, on a $1 million bond.

The couple, Wayne Louis Wells, 82, and Mable Irene Wells, 71, were found inside their home, south of Stover , about 11 a.m. Tuesday.

In a news release this morning, Morgan County Sheriff Jim Petty said Blowers was charged based on "evidence from the scene and information obtained from Ronald Blowers."

The sheriff also noted: "It was first believed that the victims had been shot by a small caliber firearm; however the autopsy revealed they died of blunt force trauma.

"It is believed that a pipe, knife, and screwdriver were used to inflict the injuries. Yesterday (Thursday), a pipe was found near the scene believed to be one of the weapons."

Petty had said in an earlier release that the Wells home's "south door had been forced open, the lights were on and both victims were fully clothed."

It's believed the crime occurred between 5-9 p.m. Monday - after dark, but before the couple usually went to bed.

Blowers already has been charged with resisting arrest and assault of a law officer.

About a mile from the Wells home, while deputies and troopers were investigating the murders and a report that a vehicle similar to his had been seen near the Wells home, Blowers was found outside his home, yelling and holding a knife.

He had stabbed himself and, after a standoff with officers, was taken into custody.