Mental evaluation ordered for woman held in slaying

HOT SPRINGS — A mental evaluation has been ordered in Garland County Circuit Court for a Hot Springs woman charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of her husband last summer.

Elizabeth D. Hageness, 58, faces up to life in prison if convicted in the June 19, 2019, death of Brian Paul Hageness, 61, who was fatally shot at 2216 Malvern Ave., the listed address of Elizabeth Hageness.

Chief deputy prosecutor Kara Petro filed a motion Sept. 4 seeking a mental evaluation to be conducted on Hageness, noting that “there is cause to believe there is a reasonable suspicion” Hageness was not fit to proceed with trial.

A hearing to determine the admissibility of any statements Hageness made to Hot Springs police on the day of her arrest, which has been postponed multiple times, was originally set to be held Monday but was postponed again in light of the mental evaluation request that was granted by Judge John Homer Wright. Further proceedings will be stayed until Hageness can be evaluated at the Arkansas State Hospital.

Hageness was arrested shortly after the shooting and initially held without bond. At a hearing June 21, Judge Joe Graham set bond at $250,000 and she was released later that day.

A gag order limiting pretrial publicity in the case was issued Aug. 11 by Wright, and Hageness pleaded innocent to the charge Sept. 16 in a hearing in circuit court. Petro filed a motion Nov. 27 to add a felony firearm enhancement to Hageness’ charges, which could increase her potential sentence in prison by 15 years.

Hageness was originally represented by attorneys Patrick Benca and Jessica Johnston, with the Benca & Johnston Law Firm of Little Rock, but the two filed a motion Dec. 19 to withdraw as her attorneys, citing an “irreconcilable conflict.” It was granted by Wright. On Jan. 1, attorneys Jeff Rosenzweig and Natalie Dickson, also of Little Rock, filed an entry of appearance indicting they would be handling the case which was approved by Wright on Jan. 6.

According to the probable cause affidavit on the charge, Hot Springs police officers responded to the residence at 2216 Malvern after receiving a 911 call of someone being shot. Upon arrival, officers located Brian Hageness with an apparent gunshot wound.