Bloomington man indicted on manslaughter charges

WALKER -- A Cass County grand jury recently indicted Robert Henry Armstrong, 30, Bloomington, on second-degree murder and first-degree manslaughter charges.

He is accused of stabbing and causing the death of Brian Todd Ingalls at a Whipholt area house Dec. 11, 2000, during an argument.

The criminal complaint against Armstrong indicates the two men had argued earlier that date at Player's Club, a bar and restaurant on Highway 200 east of Walker.

That argument ended. Armstrong then invited Ingalls and three other people to his house at Whipholt where the fight resumed, according to the complaint.

Witnesses told authorities they saw Armstrong strike Ingalls with something during the argument at the house.

When authorities arrived, they found Ingalls' blood soaked body at the house. A knife with blood on it was recovered.

The second-degree assault charge stipulates death was caused while a felony second-degree assault was being committed. The first-degree manslaughter charge stipulates death was caused in the heat of passion.

The county attorney had filed a complaint against Armstrong last December, charging him with intentional second-degree murder and second-degree murder. The new grand jury indictments will replace those charges.

Judge Michael J. Haas set Armstrong's bail at $300,000. Armstrong's next court appearance is May 7.