Rome man's wife, church member charged in fatal stabbing

ROME, Ga. (AP) -- The wife of a Baptist pastor and her alleged lover have been charged with murder in the man's stabbing death outside the Frito-Lay plant where he worked. Police arrested Michelle Reynolds, 34, and Richard Scott Harper, 33, on Thursday in the killing of Thad John Glenn Reynolds, 36, who was found stabbed 18 times Monday outside the distribution center where he worked. Michelle Reynolds and Harper made their first appearances in court Friday but bond had not been set. "The investigation has shown that both conspired to commit the murder by various means of communication, including personal contact, telephone and computer generated messages," said Assistant Police Chief Bill Shiflett. Two clues led police to make the arrests. A witness saw a red minivan leave the scene, and Harper owns a red minivan. Also, Harper went to a Rome hospital Monday to be treated for hand injuries. "It (the killing) had been planned for a while, but the investigation is still ongoing and I don't want to speculate on how long they had been planning it," Shiflett said. "It's sad for the whole community. The two men were close friends." Both families attended Hollywood Baptist Church, where Harper was listed as a family pastor and Reynolds was a deacon. "Thad Reynolds was, without question, a man of integrity who loved God, his family and his church," according to a statement from the church. "We ask all of you to join us as we pray for both the Reynolds and Harper families and for our church." The Reynolds' four daughters, ages 1, 4, 6 and 12, were with family and friends, Shiflett said.