Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Rogers man gets 28 years for attack
Marshall pleaded guilty to beating grandmother while robbing her
BENTONVILLE — A Rogers man was sentenced to 28 years in prison Thursday for robbing and pistol-whipping his grandmother.
Jonathan William Marshall, 21, will have to serve at least 20 years before he’s eligible for parole.
Marshall pleaded guilty to aggravated robbery, battery, residential burglary, commercial burglary and theft of property.
Marshall was arrested May 19 and originally denied any involvement in the robbery and beating when questioned by Rogers police detectives, according to court documents.
Police received a call at 3:05 a.m. May 18 concerning someone breaking into 83-year-old Dollie Cotrill’s home and beating her with a pistol, according to a probable cause affidavit. Her head and face were covered with blood when officers arrived.
She suffered a broken vertebrae, bleeding around her brain and fractures to her shoulder, ribs, arm and pelvis. She had to have neck surgery, was in a coma and had to be placed on a ventilator, according to court documents.
Marshall told police he owed drug debts and needed money, but never intended to hurt his grandmother.
Cotrill told police a man wearing a mask entered her bedroom and hit her twice on the head with a pistol. The man demanded her phone, money and medications and threatened to shoot her if she didn’t follow his instructions, according to the affidavit.
The intruder put jewelry in a bag and went into an office and took a computer. The man returned to the bedroom and hit Cogtrill one more time with the pistol, according to the affidavit.
Marshall pawned some of his grandmother’s jewelry, according to the affidavit.
The commercial burglary charges are related to two break-ins of businesses in Rogers.
Circuit Judge Brad Karren followed the terms of the plea agreement and ordered Marshall to serve 28 years in prison. He will have to abide by a suspended sentence for 12 years after his release from prison.
He received 209 days of credit for the time he spent in the Benton County Jail awaiting his trial.
Marshall told police he owed drug debts and needed money, but never intended to hurt his grandmother.