FORT SMITH (KFSM) — The trial date for a man accused of killing a 20-year-old man has been set.
Dwight Neal Hawley, 54, remains in custody at the Sebastian County Detention Center after he was charged with first-degree murder in the shooting of Carlos Araujo-Mejia on July 23, 2015, according to authorities.
Hawley is scheduled for trial the week of March 21, 2016. His plea deadline is March 7, 2016.
Hawley has also been charged with possession of firearms by certain persons and first-degree terroristic threatening.
According to witnesses, an argument broke out between Araujo-Mejia, his girlfriend and Hawley that led to the shooting, the release states. Alcohol was believed to have been a factor, according to a release.
Officers found an 20-gauge shotgun at the scene and took the Hawley into custody, the release stated.
