Man guilty of killing Arkansas officer gets 2 life sentences

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. — An Arkansas man has been sentenced to 2 life phrases in jail for fatally taking pictures a police officer throughout a site visitors cease in 2020 and firing at one other officer on the scene.

A jury on Thursday convicted Kayvon Ward, 24, of first-degree homicide within the loss of life of Scorching Springs police Officer Brent Scrimshire and aggravated assault for taking pictures on the different officer, who wasn’t struck. The identical jury sentenced Ward on Friday.

Garland County Circuit Decide Marcia Hearnsberger ordered the sentences to be served consecutively.

“There isn’t a excuse to your actions and the ache and struggling you induced for thus many individuals,” Hearnsberger informed Ward.

After Scrimshire stopped Ward for operating a cease signal, Ward tried to flee. Ward testified that he fired a gun, however stated he simply wished the officer chasing him to get down as he fled.

The jury had discovered Ward responsible on Thursday of first-degree homicide fairly than capital homicide, as prosecutors had sought. A capital homicide conviction would have carried a possible loss of life penalty.

William James, Ward’s legal professional, thanked the jury for selecting the lesser cost, The Sentinel-File reported.

“There are not any winners right here, we’re all losers,” James stated.

Scrimshire’s widow, Rachel Scrimshire, informed the newspaper she was sad with the conviction, however happy with the sentence.

Ward was additionally convicted of possession of a defaced firearm, resisting arrest, obstructing authorities operations and fleeing.

On the time of the site visitors cease, Ward had an excellent warrant associated to a taking pictures the yr earlier than in Scorching Springs.