Man pleads guilty to capital murder receives 2 life sentences
Before a hearing at the Hot Spring County Courthouse Monday afternoon, the family, friends and supporters of Victoria “Tori” Lowry gathered in prayer.
They then watched as Deadrick Garner, 21, of Hot Springs, appeared before Circuit Judge Chris Williams to plead guilty to capital murder and aggravated robbery in connection with the death of Lowry.
For the two counts, Garner was sentenced to life without parole and life in the Arkansas Department of Correction. The sentences will be consecutive.
“There are a lot of hurt people in this room today,” Williams said.
During the hearing, Garner admitting to driving the victim the top of a mountain on Tower Road in Bismarck where he stabbed her in the chest, left her body and then stole her vehicle. Garner then drove the vehicle to Missouri. He was later arrested in Jonesboro where he was found driving the victim’s vehicle.
While giving their victim impact statements, Lowry’s parents and brother expressed feelings of anger, sadness and hope.
Tori’s family spoke directly to Garner as they explained how her death has affected them.
Tori’s father, Bob Lowry, said that he visits his daughter’s grave everyday and goes into her bedroom wishing she was still there.
“You took her life. You took her future,” he said.
Garner’s actions did not just hurt his family, Bob said, adding that the people who care about Garner are also hurt.
Bob said he has visited the mountain where Garner left Tori’s body “like some unwanted bag of garbage” only once.
“I heard her blood that day,” he said noting that he has hope because now “I’m watching justice.”
While making his statement, Bob also commended the various law enforcement agencies, as well as, the Hot Spring County Prosecuting Attorney Office, Williams and the court for their work during this process.
“As much as I hurt, this is about Tori,” he said.
Tori’s mother, Janet Lowry, was in tears as she sat on the stand and spoke about her daughter.
Janet said she was forever changed when she saw pictures of her daughter after she was brutally murdered.
“My heart is not normal nor will it ever be again,” she said. “I will never understand how you could be so heartless.”
Janet spoke of her daughter’s artistic talents and how she enjoyed singing and playing piano. Tori was pursing a math degree.
“She had so many hopes and dreams that you took away from her,” Janet said. “She trusted you, loved you.”
Tori’s brother, Steve Lowry, who is attending law school out-of-state gave his
victim impact statement via Zoom.
Steve said that his family, friends and desire to become a prosecutor has helped him through this difficult time.
He mentioned that he has nightmares most nights, but that while Garner will live the rest of his life in jail, the Lowrys’ legacy will continue.
During the case, the state of Arkansas was represented by Prosecuting Attorney Teresa Howell, Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Melanie Rock, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Jeff Weber and Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Jared Davis. Bill James, of Little Rock, served as Garner’s legal counsel.
Howell issued this statement about the case.
“The exhaustive investigation of this heinous murder by Special Agents Jimmie Thomas, David Forthman, Chris Garner, and James Avant of the Arkansas State Police was relentless and these agents would not rest until the murderer was identified and arrested. The agents used every resource available to them, including the Hot Spring County Sheriff’s Department, Arkansas Game & Fish, the Jonesboro Police Department, and the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory to bring Deadrick Garner to justice. The result of the investigation was a case file filled with overwhelming evidence of Deadrick Garner’s guilt.”