PEA RIDGE, Ark. — The trial for a woman accused of capital murder in the death of an officer with the Pea Ridge Police Department (PRPD) began on Monday, Jan. 29, but the first week was dedicated to jury selection.
On Sept. 2021, Shawna Cash, 22, of Pine Bluff pleaded not guilty to capital murder and other charges in the death of Officer Kevin Apple. Prosecutors, however, said they are seeking the death penalty.
The death of Officer Apple
According to records from PRPD, in June 2021, Officer Apple and another PRPD officer approached a vehicle that matched the description of one that had been involved in a pursuit. When they tried to make contact with the occupants of the vehicle, police said an altercation erupted. Cash was driving the vehicle, and 18-year-old Elijah Andazola of Bella Vista was the passenger, the release said.
Reports state Cash started to drive off, hit the police vehicle and dragged Officer Apple "nearly 150 feet" as they fled. Officer Apple ended up pinned between two vehicles and died, according to police.
Though Cash drove off after this, she and Andazola crashed and were later located and arrested, the release said.
According to police, Cash did not take responsibility for the fatal crash and said she tends to "blackout" during stressful situations.
Cash told investigators she had smoked marijuana the morning of Officer Apple's death but had not had any other substance. On Nov. 2023, a judge granted prosecutors access to Cash's Medicaid records. Prosecutors are looking for information on her mental health and substance abuse history.
Andazola is being charged with being an accomplice of capital murder.
The latest
On Friday, Feb. 2, the jury selection was finished, and the trial is set to move forward in earnest on Monday, Feb. 5 at 8:30 a.m.
The trial began on Monday, Jan. 29, in the death penalty case of Cash beginning with jury selection. The courtroom was at max capacity on Monday with 182 potential jurors. The judge qualified the panel by asking potential jurors if they knew the prosecution, the defense, or any potential witnesses.
Before recess on the trial's first day, Cash's attorneys raised concerns about the prosecutor's power to subpoena witnesses testifying on mitigating factors for the defense. Mitigating circumstances can impact sentencing — in some cases keeping the death penalty from being applied even when the suspect is found guilty.
They say that this might cause a "chilling effect" on their witnesses' testimony because they will be under oath.
Judge Karren said he doesn't see a problem with the subpoenas due to previous case law.
The judge did emphasize the courtroom is open to public viewing, including off-duty police. Because this case involves a fallen officer, many law enforcement officers are expected to attend even if they're not testifying.
Judge Karren and the defense also raised concerns about having multiple police officers attending in full uniform, suggesting potential intimidation of witnesses on the stand.
Karren said he'll address these uniform concerns on a case-by-case basis.
Cash's co-defendant Andazola will face trial in March.
Stay with 5NEWS for updates on this developing story.
Watch 5NEWS on YouTube.
Download the 5NEWS app on your smartphone:
Stream 5NEWS 24/7 on the 5+ app: How to watch the 5+ app on your streaming device
To report a typo or grammatical error, please email KFSMDigitalTeam@tegna.com and detail which story you're referring to.