Prosecutors waive death penalty in murder case

HOT SPRINGS — Prosecutors waived the death penalty Tuesday against a man charged with capital murder in the July 4 shooting of a man during a robbery, according to a police affidavit.

Christopher Deandre Deshon Gipson of Hot Springs has remained in custody since his arrest July 7. Gipson, 20, pleaded innocent Tuesday in Garland County Circuit Court to capital murder, punishable by death or life in prison without parole; aggravated robbery, punishable by up to life in prison; and theft by receiving of a firearm, punishable by up to six years in prison. Police said Gipson was in possession of a stolen gun at the time of his arrest.

Deputy prosecutor Shana Alexander indicated during Tuesday’s hearing that the state was waiving the death penalty. A hearing to determine the admissibility of statements Gipson made to Hot Springs police, where he confessed to the murder according to an affidavit, is scheduled for Nov. 17. A gag order limiting pretrial publicity in the case was issued Monday by Judge Marcia Hearnsberger.

Gipson was represented Tuesday by Garland County Public Defender Tim Beckham.

Police responding to a welfare check around 10 a.m. July 4 to the 100 block of Mica Street and found a white 1998 Lincoln Town Car with a dead man, later identified as 23-year-old Tristan Smith, sitting at the steering wheel with a gunshot wound to the back of his head. Two 9-mm casings were found at the scene, the affidavit states.

Lt. Duane Tarbet and Detective Joey Vanderburg spoke on July 6 with two witnesses, according to the affidavit. The witnesses said Gipson approached them on July 4 and asked for a ride.

When they arrived to his residence in the 200 block of Autumn Street, Gipson got out and asked them if they had heard what happened that morning, the affidavit states. The witness said he told Gipson that he had heard about Smith being found dead. At that point, Gipson said, “I did that,” according to the affidavit. When the witness asked how he did it, Gipson told them he had shot him in the back of the head.

Both witnesses identified Gipson by photo, according to police.

On July 7, after Gipson’s arrest, he was brought to the police department and questioned.

Gipson said he had met Smith near his residence on Autumn in the early morning hours of July 4, the affidavit states. He said he got into Smith’s vehicle and pulled a handgun on him, demanding money and Smith’s cellphone, intending to rob him.

Smith refused and started driving with Gipson in the car, the affidavit states. Smith stopped on Mica Street, and Gipson again demanded his phone.

Gipson said he “became angry” when Smith refused, according to the affidavit. He said he exited the vehicle and shot Smith twice in the back of the head, according to the affidavit. He said he then went through Smith’s pockets, took his cellphone and left on foot.

Smith’s cellphone was later recovered in the 500 block of Crescent Street “after Gipson informed officers where it could be located.”