Springdale man fit for trial in 2013 killing

BENTONVILLE — A Springdale man was found fit to stand trial in connection with the killing of Edward Abel.

James Smith, 48, appeared in court Wednesday morning for a hearing in the case. Smith and John Armando Guerra, 55, of Duson, La., face capital murder and aggravated robbery charges in connection with Abel's death.

Proceedings have been suspended in both of the men's cases pending the outcome of mental evaluations at the Arkansas State Hospital in Little Rock.

Smith was evaluated at the State Hospital while Guerra is still awaiting to undergo his mental evaluation.

Tyler Benson, one of Smith's attorneys, and Nathan Smith, deputy prosecutor, told Circuit Judge Brad Karren that they had received the evaluation results and Smith was found fit to stand trial.

The judge then found James Smith fit to stand trial.

A status hearing for Smith and Guerra is set for Dec. 11.

Abel was stabbed to death and pronounced dead Aug. 16, 2013 at Northwest Medical Center-Springdale. Abel lived in the portion of Springdale in Benton County.

Springdale police were called at 11:15 p.m. Aug. 16, 2013 to Abel's home on East Brown Road.

A woman reported Abel left a message on her voice mail, according to court documents. The woman could hear Abel pleading with people who demanded to know where he kept his safe, and Abel could also be heard telling someone to take his wallet because that was all he had, according to a probable cause affidavit.

Police found Abel on his kitchen floor, according to court documents.

Upcoming Events