Death penalty sought for man in 2 slayings

CAMDEN — The state is seeking the death penalty for Jory Worthen, according to documents filed with the circuit court of Ouachita County.

Worthen is charged with two counts of capital murder. Authorities say he killed 25-year-old Alyssa Cannon and her 4-year-old son, Braydon Ponder.

The documents allege that the “(d)efendant committed each of the capital murders in an especially cruel or depraved manner.”

That and the child’s age led the state to seek the penalty in the case, according to court records.

At the time of the slayings, Cannon had a restraining order against Worthen, but he was still living with her, according to police records.

Worthen fled the state in Cannon’s vehicle after the killings, authorities said. Police found the vehicle abandoned in a parking lot in Seattle. The Western Arkansas U.S. Marshals Task Force was enlisted in the investigation because Worthen had crossed state lines and authorities said they believed him to be armed and dangerous.

The investigative efforts by all agencies involved led to a hotel in Burbank, Calif., on Oct. 5. Authorities said

Worthern fled from there and later, he was tracked down again and arrested after a short foot pursuit.

Worthen returned from California to Camden in the custody of officers from the Camden Police Department. Worthen appeared before a judge and was denied bail. He is in the Ouachita County jail. His next court hearing is scheduled for April 4.