Judge grants delay in murder trial as witnesses sought

BENTONVILLE — A judge granted a delay Monday in Mei Ka Sin’s murder trial to give prosecutors more time to find witnesses.

Sin, 24, has pleaded not guilty to capital murder.

His jury trial was scheduled to begin Thursday.

Joshua Robinson, Benton County deputy prosecutor, filed the motion requesting more time. Circuit Judge Robin Green granted Robinson’s motion and rescheduled the jury trial for April 8.

Robinson and Robby Golden, Sin’s attorney, told the judge they’re continuing negotiation to resolve the case.

Sin is accused of killing one of his roommates at their Springdale apartment, which is in part of Springdale in Benton County.

He acted with premeditation and deliberation in the death of Rwabuzisoni Daniel, prosecutors allege. Daniel died from multiple gunshot wounds, according to court documents. Sin faces life imprisonment without parole if he’s convicted.

An anonymous caller on July 17, 2017, told Springdale police someone had been shot. Officers found Daniel, 21, dead in one of the units at Chapel Ridge Apartments, 5323 N. Oak St.

A roommate told police he saw Sin and Daniel fight and Sin shot Daniel and then left, according to the probable cause affidavit.

A second witness told police she was in the apartment and saw Sin follow Daniel into a bedroom, according to the affidavit. She heard arguing and then gunshots. She told police Sin was holding a hunting rifle, according to the affidavit.

Police found spent shell casings on a bedroom floor and a shell casing in the bathroom.

Sin is being held without bail in the Benton County Jail.

Sin