Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Hancock wants murder charge dropped
FAYETTEVILLE — An attorney for Jimmy Lee Hancock, accused in a fatal south Fayetteville stabbing, is asking the court to dismiss the charges and release Hancock, arguing prosecutors haven’t brought the case to trial in a timely fashion.
Police found the body of Anthony Dell Jackson, 58, under a pavilion at Walker Park, 10 W. 15th St., about 11:15 p.m. Aug. 31, 2015, according to a preliminary police report. Jackson was stabbed in the neck and head.
Hancock, 50, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder, aggravated assault and terroristic threatening. He pleaded not guilty Oct. 2, 2015.
Hancock was found near a knife and Jackson’s body, according to the police report. He appeared to have blood on him.
Both Jackson and Hancock were homeless, police said.
First-degree murder is punishable by 10 to 40 years or life in prison.
Hancock was arrested the same night as the killing and booked Sept. 1, 2015, into the Washington County Jail.
Autumn Tolbert filed motions Friday saying Hancock has been in jail since his arrest and the case should be dismissed for failure to comply with speedy trial rules.
The case has been continued at least eight times. Delays have included waiting for evidence reports from the Arkansas State Crime Lab and when Hancock changed lawyers.
Hancock wrote a letter to Circuit Judge Joanna Taylor in October 2016 complaining about delays.
Hancock is being held at the Washington County Detention Center in lieu of a $250,000 bond.
A witness told police Hancock had been involved in an assault and threatening incident before the killing happened.
The witness told police Hancock held a knife to his chest because he refused to drink with Hancock. The witness described a knife similar to what was recovered near Jackson, according to police.
The witness told police he saw Jackson and Hancock together before a police officer arrived on patrol.
Hancock told police he was at the pavilion with Jackson and the witness, but he didn’t remember how Jackson died. Hancock also told police he didn’t assault the witness.