WASHINGTON COUNTY, ARKANSAS, Ark. — A man charged with killing a woman in Fayetteville and disposing of her body has pled not guilty to capital murder— his trial date has been set for August 26, 2024
Kacey Jennings, 30, is accused of capital murder, abuse of a corpse, tampering with evidence, and theft after the Fayetteville Police Department (FPD) investigated the disappearance of Allison Maria Castro and concluded that Jennings had killed and disposed of her body.
Washington County Prosecutor Matt Durrett confirms that in a hearing on April 15, his office was expecting a guilty plea, but the trial is moving forward after Jennings changed his mind.
Durrett also said that Castro's family was in the courtroom, having traveled from Hawaii for the hearing.
According to the FPD, on Sept. 19, 2022, officers responded to a home where they reportedly found Jennings overdosing on drugs.
While investigating, officers reportedly heard concerns from family members about the welfare of Jenning's ex-girlfriend, Castro.
The FPD said that after not hearing from Castro, officers reported her missing the same day and started looking into "exactly what occurred."
Evidence led officers to believe that Jennings killed Castro and disposed of her body, and a week later, Jennings was arrested for first-degree murder and disposing of a body.
Since his initial arrest, Jennings' charges have been amended to capital murder, disposing of a body, tampering with evidence, and theft.
According to court documents, the state is pursuing the death penalty in this case.
If you have any information concerning this investigation, you're asked to contact the FPD at (479) 587-3555.
Jennings' attorney refused to give 5NEWS a statement on the situation.
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