Second trial begins for Arkansas man in parking lot shooting

TEXARKANA (AP) — A second trial began Monday for an Arkansas man accused of fatally shooting another man over a parking space.

Marvin Arrell Stanton was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison in 2016 in the shooting death of 22-year-old Jesse James Hamilton.

But the Arkansas Supreme Court tossed the conviction last year and ordered a new trial, saying testimony about Stanton's prior aggressive conduct shouldn't have been admitted.

Jury selection began Monday in the new trial, which is being held at the Miller County courthouse in Texarkana, the Texarkana Gazette reported.

A Miller County jury initially convicted the 51-year-old Stanton in the 2015 shooting.

During the trial, witnesses testified that a fight began between the men in the parking lot of a convenience store and gas station after Hamilton parked in Stanton's preferred spot.

Witnesses said Stanton began the physical confrontation.

Stanton said he fired in self-defense after Hamilton attempted to knock him down.

He was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison. Separately, Hamilton's mother sued the gas station's owner and operators, RaceTrac Petroleum and Newark Petroleum Inc., alleging the owners knew the gas station was frequently the site of criminal activity.

The suit alleged the company had agreed to have security on location but that there was no security present the night Hamilton was shot.

The case was settled in June.

A trust for Hamilton's child was given $695,000, according to probate records.