Harlan pleads not guilty to murder

BENTONVILLE — Zachary Harlan pleaded not guilty to charges in connection with the killing of a Springdale man.

Harlan, 34, is charged as a habitual offender with capital murder, aggravated residential burglary and theft of property. He entered the not guilty plea Monday at his arraignment before Circuit Judge Robin Green.

Harlan is accused of killing his roommate Steve March.

Springdale police officers found March’s body May 14 at his Moulton Lane home lying on his bed with dried blood on his head and face, according to a probable cause affidavit. He had an injury to the left side of his face and a cut on his neck, according to a probable cause affidavit.

March’s residence is in the area of Springdale in Benton County.

Harlan was arrested May 15 for a parole violation in Seligman, Mo. He denied killing March when questioned by police, according to the affidavit. He was returned to a state prison in Arkansas while police continued to investigate March’s death.

Police found a broken knife — believed to be the murder weapon — under March’s body, according to the affidavit. The knife was taken from a knife set on the kitchen counter, according to the affidavit.

A neighbor told police Harlan called and threatened March for helping Harlan’s former girlfriend and giving police information about his whereabouts. According to the affidavit, Harlan was running from police because he had beaten his former girlfriend.

An inmate housed with Harlan while he was in the Washington County Jail told police Harlan confessed to him to killing March, according to court documents.

Police believe Harlan’s motives to kill March include learning of a romantic relationship between March and Harlan’s former girlfriend and his belief March stole an expensive watch from him, according to the affidavit.

The investigation revealed Harlan downloaded an app called SMS-Tracker and was able to track his former girlfriend’s location and who she was communicating with by accessing her text messages, according to court documents. Police believed Harlan was able to read messages between his former girlfriend and March, according to the affidavit.

Harlan’s next court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 22.

Harlan is being held without bond in the Benton County Jail.

Harlan