PEA RIDGE, Ark. — The day before it was set to begin, the trial for a man accused of being an accomplice to capital murder in the death of a Pea Ridge Police Officer has been called off.
Almost a month after Shawna Cash was found guilty of killing Officer Kevin Apple, the man accused of being her accomplice to the murder, Elijah Andazola, pleaded guilty to amended charges.
Benton County Prosecuting Attorney Josh Robinson said that during Cash's trial, the prosecution's opinion of Andazola's involvement changed based on presented evidence, and they no longer believed Andazola was responsible for Officer Apple's murder.
New Charges:
- Hindering apprehension
- Accomplice to breaking and entering
- Possession of meth
- Possession of drug paraphernalia
Robinson said that Andazola was only guilty of fleeing on foot, breaking into a mailbox, possessing meth, and hiding from police after Cash had killed Office Apple.
The state recommended that Andazola be sentenced to 15 years probation on the amended charges.
Defense Attorney Tony Pirani said that "it was probably one of the worst examples of [being in the] wrong place at the wrong time. He never engaged in any activity that directly led to the death of this officer."
"As the Shawna Cash trial developed ... it became clear to me, my team, and, frankly, law enforcement that [Cash] was solely responsible for the murder of Officer Apple," said Robinson. "I feel like there's been justice ... but there's nothing that can bring Kevin back."
The Murder of Officer Kevin Apple
On June 26, 2021, Officers Kevin Apple and Brian Stamps with the Ridge Police Department (PRPD) attempted to contact two people in a car they had been alerted to.
After a fight broke out, the driver, Cash, then rammed into the police car, pinning Officer Apple between the two cars, killing him.
Officer Apple was then dragged nearly 150 feet by Cash's car as she and Andazola—who was in the passenger seat— fled, according to an affidavit.
A report following the incident showed police questioning Cash and Andazola about what happened leading up to Officer Apple's death, and neither took responsibility for the fatal crash at that point.
Cash told investigators that when the police approached their car and told them to put their hands up, Andazola "told her to go .... [He] was telling her where to go, where to turn, and telling her to gun it."
In February, Cash was found guilty of Officer Apple's murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole.
Report from Cash's trial:
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