Death penalty sought in the killing of Pea Ridge officer
BENTONVILLE — Prosecutors intend to seek the death penalty for the woman accused of killing a Pea Ridge police officer. Shawna Cash,
22, of Pine Bluff is charged with capital murder, escape, fleeing, two counts of aggravated assault, leaving the scene of a personal injury accident, criminal mischief, obstructing governmental operations and reckless driving.
Elijah Michael Andazola, 18, of Bentonville is charged with accomplice to capital murder and escape. He pleaded not guilty Thursday to the charges at his arraignment before Benton County Circuit Judge Robin Green.
Cash and Andazola are accused of killing Kevin Apple, a Pea Ridge police officer.
Apple died June 26 at the White Oak Station in Pea Ridge when he was hit by a Jeep and dragged about 149 feet, according to court documents.
Apple, 53, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Cash was driving the Jeep while Andazola was a passenger, according to court documents. They face life in prison or the death penalty if convicted of capital murder. They are being held without bond in the Benton County Jail.
Prosecutors filed aggravating factors needed in order to seek a death sentence for Cash. The aggravating factors weren’t filed in Andazola’s case.
The factors listed in Cash’s case are the murder was committed to avoid arrest and to disrupt or hinder the lawful exercise of any governmental or political function; in addition, the murder was committed in “an especially cruel and depraved manner,” according to court documents.
Cash’s arraignment is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Sept. 15 in Benton County Circuit Judge Brad Karren’s court.
An omnibus hearing is scheduled for Oct. 4 in Andazola’s case.
Apple and Officer Brian Stamps responded to a call about 11:30 a.m. June 26 to be on the lookout for an older, blue Jeep fleeing from Rogers police. They saw the Jeep at the White Oak station about 12:09 p.m., according to Lt. Michael Lisenbee, public affairs officer for the department.
They parked on both ends of the Jeep, which was parked at the gas pumps, and attempted to make contact with the occupants, Lisenbee said. The driver of the Jeep rammed one of the Pea Ridge police vehicles, then drove over Apple, dragging him, then fled west on Slack Street.