Man gets 70 years for 2 killings

EL DORADO — Jacovis James of El Dorado was sentenced Wednesday to 70 years in prison in the slayings of Darrishica Rogers of North Little Rock and Aric D. Hall of El Dorado.

In October 2018, El Dorado police were dispatched to a mobile home at No. 2 White Quarters where they found four people suffering from gunshot wounds.

Officers first made contact with Remondo Caver, then 29, who was in the residence’s kitchen suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. They found Rogers, 30, Marquesha Young, then 26, and Hall, 28, in different parts of the house, all with gunshot wounds.

Caver and Young were transported to the Medical Center of South Arkansas, where Young received emergency medical treatment; Caver was airlifted to the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock.

Hall and Rogers were pronounced dead at the scene of the shooting.

James, 24, was identified as a suspect within days of the shooting. He was arrested in late November 2018 on two counts of capital murder, two counts of attempted capital murder, aggravated robbery and an enhanced penalty for a felony committed with a firearm.

James’ trial started Monday, when jurors were selected and the first witnesses called. Eight El Dorado police officers testified Monday afternoon and Tuesday, with some presenting evidence from the crime scene, including photos and witness statements.

The state also called an expert from the state Crime Laboratory, who presented an analysis of shell casings found at the scene, testifying that all that were found came from the same weapon.

A forensic pathologist presented evidence about autopsies performed on Rogers and Hall. Caver was also called to testify.

On Wednesday, James’ defense team moved to have the case declared a mistrial but was denied. Later, the attorneys submitted a plea agreement to the court where James pleaded no contest to three amended charges, according to court documents.

James pleaded no contest to two counts of second-degree murder and robbery. He was sentenced to 30 years each for both murder charges and an additional 10 years for the robbery charge. He was entitled to 432 days, a little over 14 months, of pretrial incarceration credit. The remaining charges against him were dismissed, records say.