Opening statements made in murder trial
BENTONVILLE — One side described Shawna Cash’s actions as deliberate when she killed a Pea Ridge police officer by hitting him with her vehicle and dragging him nearly 150 feet.
The other side described Cash’s actions as only an attempt to get away from police, saying she never intended to kill the officer.
Benton County Prosecuting Attorney Joshua Robinson and Lee Short, one of Cash’s defense attorneys, gave opening statements Monday in Cash’s jury trial.
Cash, 25, is charged with capital murder, fleeing, two counts of aggravated assault and obstructing governmental operations. She pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.
Cash is accused of killing Pea Ridge police officer Kevin Apple in 2021.
Robinson told the jury they are going to watch some difficult videos and hear from witnesses who were with Apple when he died.
Apple and fellow Pea Ridge officer Brian Stamps heard a dispatch about 11:30 a.m. June 26, 2021, to be on the lookout for a Jeep fleeing from Rogers police. They spotted the Jeep at the White Oak Station in Pea Ridge, according to a probable cause affidavit.
Robinson told the jury Cash and Apple were face to face with nothing between the two except the hood of a Jeep Cherokee.
“It’s in this space where a police officer with his feet planted puts his trust in a woman behind the wheel,” Robinson said.
Robinson said Apple trusts that Cash will do what she’s suppose to do and submit to an arrest.
Robinson said Cash makes a deliberate and thoughtful decision to flee from police. She first puts the Jeep in reverse and crashes into Stamp’s vehicle, he said.
“Is it an impulse, or is it a choice?” Robinson asked.
Robinson said Cash made the choice to hit Apple and drag him underneath the Jeep almost 150 feet over a curb and median.
He said witnesses went to Apple’s aid and held his hand and head and said prayers for him.
Robinson told jurors they are going to see the video. “You are going to sit in that time,” he said. “You are going to pray she’s not going to do what you know she’s going to do.”
He also told the jury they are going to see and hear testimony about other police encounters involving Cash.
Short admitted Cash was behind the wheel of the vehicle which hit and killed Apple.
Cash planned that day to go to Pine Bluff to get her belongings because her boyfriend had committed suicide, Short said. He said Cash borrowed the Jeep to make the trip and Elijah Andazola agreed to go with her.
She was going to stop by her brother’s home to get money for gasoline, but made the decision to steal a check from a mailbox, Short said. The homeowner pursued the Jeep and held them at gunpoint until Cash and Andazola fled the scene after hearing sirens.
Short said Cash wanted to get away from police.
He said Cash’s intentions were the same in the encounter with the Pea Ridge officers.
Short told the jury Andazola yelled for her to go and she fled from the store. Short said Stamps fired at the vehicle and Cash continued to flee until she wrecked the Jeep and attempted to run away from police.
Short told the jury they will watch Cash’s interrogation and she repeatedly said she only wanted to get away.
He purpose was only to “get away and gone,” Short said.
Stamp was the first witness called by prosecutors.
Andazola, 20, of Bentonville is charged with accomplice to capital murder and escape. Prosecutors have waived the death penalty in his case.
Andazola’s jury trial is scheduled to begin March 5 in Benton County Circuit Judge Robin Green’s courtroom.