BENTONVILLE -- A Springdale man is fit to stand trial in connection with the killing of Edward Abel.
James Smith, 48, appeared in court Wednesday morning. Smith and John Armando Guerra, 55, of Duson, La., face capital murder and aggravated robbery charges in connection with Abel's death.
Proceedings were suspended in both men's cases pending mental evaluations at Arkansas State Hospital in Little Rock.
Tyler Benson, one of Smith's attorneys, and Nathan Smith, deputy prosecutor, told Circuit Judge Brad Karren they had received the evaluation that found Smith fit to stand trial. Benson didn't contest the findings.
A status hearing for Smith and Guerra is set for Dec. 11. Guerra's mental evaluation hasn't been done.
Smith and Guerra are being held without bond in the Benton County Jail.
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. that day 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. Abel also could be heard telling someone to take his wallet because that was all he had.
Police found Abel on his kitchen floor.
Smith and Guerra faces life imprisonment or the death penalty if they are found guilty of capital murder. Prosecutors haven't yet decided whether they will seek the death penalty. They could be sentenced for 10 to 40 years or life imprisonment if they are convicted of aggravated robbery.
Three people also have been charged in connection with stealing gold coins from Abel.
NW News on 09/25/2014