Another Family Member Arrested In Bonnie Harkey Murder

By: Sylvia Villarreal Email

Updated: Thu 7:21 PM, Mar 29, 2012

San Saba County Sheriff Allen Brown says the stepson of an elderly Central Texas woman whose body was exhumed from a shallow grave in Leon County has been accused of masterminding a plot that left her and her caretaker dead.

Brown reported on Thursday that 86-year-old Bonnie Harkey's grandson Bruce Harkey has been charged with solicitation of capital murder. Harkey was a wealthy businesswoman and the owner of Harkey Pecan Farm. The woman was also the holder of the Harkey family fortune.

Harkey's caregiver, Karen Johnson was found murdered on Sunday at her employers home near Harkeyville. Johnson's body was found by her 10-year-old son. A day later in Leon County, Bonnie Harkey's body was discovered at the Indian Woods Campground at Hilltop Lakes.

Following the crimes, Bruce Harkey answered questions from members of the media and was arrested Wednesday. Bruce Harkey's bond is set at $500,000.

Bonnie Harkey's adoptive grandson Carl Pressley along with his common-law wife Lillian King have both been arrested and charged with the murder of Karen Johnson.

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