Rival Reported Seen at Senator’s Farm

A farmhand saw the man accused of killing state Sen. Tommy Burks drive onto Burks’ farm and approach the senator, then heard a pop sound and saw him speed away, according to a police affidavit. Burks, a Democratic senator, died of a single gunshot wound near his left eye. His Republican challenger, Byron (Low Tax) Looper, disappeared for four days after Burks’ killing on Oct. 19. Looper was arrested and charged with first-degree murder. Also, a local newspaper reported that Looper had once sought a job from Burks. It was unclear whether Burks made any attempt to help Looper, but Looper never got such a job.